Originally from the Andes, it is thanks to the Inca, one of the greatest pre-Columbian civilisations, that we find potatoes on our plates today.
Every year, on 9th August, the world unites to celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, an annual event strongly championed by the United Nations General Assembly to support and promote this priceless anthropological and cultural diversity. This special day is also a chance to recognise the importance of preserving indigenous people’s traditions and to reflect on the challenges they face in the fight to maintain their identity and rights.
The potato: a symbol of resilience and survival
There is a deep connection between indigenous people’s culture and the potato, a vegetable that has played a crucial role in their history. Originally from the Andes in South America, potatoes were a staple food for the region’s many indigenous communities, including the Incas, one of the greatest pre-Columbian civilisations. In fact, it was domesticated in the region of Lake Titicaca and became one of their main foods. They then developed a large number of varieties of it so it could be adapted to the different environments of the regions where they lived.
In fact, the potato is a symbol of resilience and survival for indigenous people. Its unique characteristics, such as its ability to grow in difficult soil and extreme climates, helped these communities tackle environmental and climate challenges. In the past, when traditional crops struggled to grow due to natural disasters or diseases, the potato proved to be an essential source of nourishment, saving many lives.
The potato as a means of cultural knowledge
Alongside its nutritional role, the potato also has a deep cultural significance for indigenous people. Different varieties of this tuber were often used in traditional rituals, ceremonies and farming practices. This food became a means of passing on cultural values, stories and knowledge between generations. Through growing potatoes and sharing this knowledge, indigenous communities have kept their cultural identity and traditions alive.
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