Andean Identity model

Abstract ID: 3.11366
| Accepted as Poster
| Abstract is registered
| 2025-09-16 15:42 - 15:44
Sarmiento, F. (1)
Chávez, R. (1)
(1) University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA., 210 Field Street, 30202 Athens, US
How to cite: Sarmiento, F.; Chávez, R.: Andean Identity model, International Mountain Conference 2025, Innsbruck, Sep 14 - 18 2025, #IMC25-3.11366, 2025.
Categories: Culture, Education, Socio-Ecology
Keywords: Ayni, Yanantin, Masantin, Tawantin, identity trilemma
Categories: Culture, Education, Socio-Ecology
Keywords: Ayni, Yanantin, Masantin, Tawantin, identity trilemma
Abstract

I am presenting the theoretical model that explain the conceptual framework of Andean identity. In the past, the notion of identity in the Andes have been referred as “lo andino” vaguely explaining the unique features of the people living in the South American cordillera. I am submitting a new look into the characterization of Andean people based on physical (Andeanity), psychological (Andeaness) and spiritual (Andeanitude) affiliations that interact to define the identity of the people of the Andes. In the past, anthropologists have equated the duality-based construction mimicking Asian philosophy of the dilemma of yin-yan. I have resurrected the philosophy of Ayni (reciprocity) to build scenarios of livelihood factors (geoliteracy), of epistemology (ecoliteracy), and of ontology (sopholiteracy) to crosscut the system with the transdisciplinary trend of montology, creating a trilemma of identity markers that explain the ‘essence’ of Andean being, between Yanantin, Masantin, and Tawantin present in individual or collective actions, in soft or hard pressures, or in contrasting opposing views or a continuum of choices.