Andean Llamas and Earth Stewardship - Earth Stewardship: Linking Ecology and Ethics in Theory and Practice - page 76

Chapter 7
Andean Llamas and Earth Stewardship
Roy H. May Jr.
Abstract Stewardship of the land often is used as a metaphor for environment
ethics. However the term is problematic because of its origin in hierarchical social
structure implying a master-servant relationship. Read from historical conditions of
empire and technological prowess stewardship can lend itself to environmental
exploitation. In contrast, read from the ancient Adam and Eve Hebrew myth and
Sabbath tradition and non-Western peasant cultures such as the Aymara of Bolivia,
stewardship signifi es restraint, mutuality, and advocacy for the Earth.
Keywords Adam and Eve • Advocacy for justice • Bio-historical • Mutuality •
Peasant societies • Sabbath
Many llamas roam the high plains of Bolivia and they leave a lot of dung around
Andean villages, usually in specifi c places of their own choosing (Fig. 7.1 ). Llamas
are culturally and economically important because they provide useful products for
Andean peasants, including dung, which is a principal source of fertilizer. 1 They
also fi gure prominently in the Andean symbolic universe. Llama representations are
common in various artistic manifestations; llama fetuses often are buried under the
threshold of newly constructed homes; llamas are sacrifi ced to assure people's well-
being; and llama body parts are used in healing rituals.
Several years ago I visited an Aymara community south of La Paz, to consult
with villagers about economic development projects. It was a beautiful day, the kind
of day that made me understand why the Incas worshipped the sun, so we decided
to hold our meeting outdoors. We spread out on the ground, continued our meeting,
drinking coca tea and then having lunch. After a while it was evident that I was the
only one who gave any importance to where we had chosen to sit: we were sprawled
out in piles of dry llama dung.