Pijchu

Pijchu is the term, in the Quechua language, given to this ball made of coca leaves that the miners keep in their mouths for several hours. 

The coca leaf is an integral part of Bolivian culture. They call it "Pijcheo"

and "Akulliku". It is not only a cultural identity for this region of the world, but they also consider it as a medicinal source (energizing, against fatigue, appetite suppressant, against altitude sickness...). The coca leaf is a sacred plant and the chewing of its leaves is a pratice that has been going on for thousands of years. 

With this series of photographs and portraits, I wanted to emphasize the physical and psycological transformation of Bolivian miners in their workplace.

I stayed with them for several hours in this place they call "Pijchadero": a narrow space in the mine where they gather to discuss and prepare the Pijchu in the mouth. The transformation was slow but in an impressive way: The face, the look and the behavior of these miners changed. They frightened me.

These miners seemed ready to face the darkness of the mine. 

                                                                 2019