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Sueños Urbanos : The South American country of Bolivia is diverse in its people, geography and products. Ranging from the Amazonian rain forest in the north and east (comprising two-thirds of the country), to the high Andes of the west and dry deserts to the south, Bolivia’s has a vast landscape about three times the size of Texas. Equally interesting and varied are the people who live throughout the country. In the eastern lowlands live cultural groups such as the Siriono, Tacana, Yabuti, and Chiriguano, while in the highlands the Quechua and Aymara speaking people are most common. Despite the many cultural differences throughout the country, Bolivians share the basic necessities of food and shelter for survival. As the national infrastructure of roads, electricity grids and gas pipelines expand across the country, rural groups find it easier to travel, conduct business and learn about the world. Because of the difficulty to provide for one’s family in countryside, people leave their rural communities and migrate to cities, where they hope to find employment and improve their financial security. Although different from that in the countryside, city life is equally difficult, as obtaining the basic needs now require money. This photo exhibit explores the process of migration and urbanization in Bolivia by following my friend Alvaro from his Aymara-speaking rural community near Tiwanaku to his current home in the city of El Alto. Beginning in the countryside, Alvaro and his family engage in a variety of means for agricultural production and animal husbandry. For traveling to the city, Alvaro employs both modern and traditional forms of transportation. Once in the city, Alvaro, like other migrants, must have a number of jobs in order to obtain and maintain food and shelter for his family. Some of these jobs come from his political affiliations with popular parties in the city while others are associated with the large markets that draw people from all parts of the region to purchase and trade goods. Frequently, Alvaro and his neighbors deal with the demands of urban life by raising food and animals in the city. Equally important to Alvaro is his spiritual life, an integral part of his successful survival in the city, as these rituals and beliefs provide him strength and guidance in his urban life. As an anthropologist, my goal is to better understand Aymara migrants’ adaptation strategies for living in the city, while as a photographer, I explore their process through images, which I share and discuss with Alvaro and his neighbors. These photographs depict migrants and their everyday urban existence, exploring the beauty of the mundane: the slice of life we often overlook as we search for the excitement of more exotic occasions. As well, it is important to reflect upon how migration and urbanization are rampant throughout the Americas and affect the lives of thousands of people living across this country and in its cities. I present this essay of photos to stimulate one’s curiosity for learning about cultures in other countries, but also as a mirror to view the processes as they occur in the United States. The research and photography for this project was conducted from 1995-97, 2000, 2005, 2007 and most recently in 2011 with funding from a variety of sources, including the J. William Fulbright Scholars Program. Jerome Crowder is a native Houstonian and visual anthropologist who earned his doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh (1998). Currently he is an Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the Institute for Medical Humanities at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. Dr. Crowder has traveled extensively throughout the Andes and South America, including an opportunity to teach and research at then National University of the Altiplano- Puno in 2003.

Sueños Urbanos

The South American country of Bolivia is diverse in its people, geogra ...

Updated: Feb 17, 2013 1:05am CST

Julia & Emily 40/80 2012 : Emily and Julia's 40/80 birthday celebration on 15.IX.12

Julia & Emily 40/80 2012

Galleries

TEXAS TRI 70.3 : Sunday Half-Iron event at Moody Gardens, Galveston Texas. April 25, 2010.

TEXAS TRI 70.3

Sunday Half-Iron event at Moody Gardens, Galveston Texas. April 25, 20 ...

Updated: Apr 28, 2010 1:04am CST

Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge 2009 : Herding dog competition at the Stanko Ranch, Steamboat Springs, CO over Labor Day weekend.

Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge 2009

Herding dog competition at the Stanko Ranch, Steamboat Springs, CO ove ...

Updated: Sep 28, 2009 12:08am CST

BRENHAM : A few images of Sampson, Shelby and Fred in Brenham with Alicia.

BRENHAM

A few images of Sampson, Shelby and Fred in Brenham with Alicia.

Updated: Oct 19, 2009 12:11am CST

WESTLAKE LAX :

WESTLAKE LAX

Updated: Nov 22, 2009 7:43pm CST

STEAMBOAT Winter 09 : Some images of Fred, Shelby, Sampson and Shadow playing in the snow at Steamboat.

STEAMBOAT Winter 09

Some images of Fred, Shelby, Sampson and Shadow playing in the snow at ...

Updated: Jan 10, 2010 10:03pm CST

STEAMBOAT Elk River :

STEAMBOAT Elk River

Updated: Jun 08, 2010 1:56pm CST

Steamboat July 4th Ski Jumping :

Steamboat July 4th Ski Jumping

Updated: Jul 16, 2010 1:42am CST

Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge 2010 : Photos taken during the 7th Annual Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge in Steamboat Springs. CO. Showcasing some of the top border collies in the country, this is a sheepdog field trial where handlers, using only their voice and whistles, direct their dogs to guide sheep through obstacles in a field. Held at the Stanko Ranch on Saturday, Sunday & Monday, September 4th-6th.

Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge 2010

Photos taken during the 7th Annual Steamboat Stock Dog Challenge in St ...

Updated: Oct 11, 2010 11:10pm CST

Houston Community and Environmental Health Tour 2010 :

Houston Community and Environmental Health Tour 2010

Updated: Nov 01, 2010 1:21am CST

Family Halloween 2010 :

Family Halloween 2010

Updated: Nov 01, 2010 1:38am CST

BOLIVIA 2011 :

BOLIVIA 2011

Updated: Jul 10, 2011 1:33am CST

Austin 2011 :

Austin 2011

Updated: Aug 07, 2011 10:48pm CST

The MANOR 2012 : An all too brief trip to the Manor with friends...

The MANOR 2012

An all too brief trip to the Manor with friends...

Updated: Oct 06, 2012 2:22pm CST

Kennebec-2012 : An exciting pheasant hunting trip to Kennebec, SD in October, 2012.

Kennebec-2012

An exciting pheasant hunting trip to Kennebec, SD in October, 2012.

Updated: Nov 07, 2012 12:42am CST

Sueños Urbanos : The South American country of Bolivia is diverse in its people, geography and products. Ranging from the Amazonian rain forest in the north and east (comprising two-thirds of the country), to the high Andes of the west and dry deserts to the south, Bolivia’s has a vast landscape about three times the size of Texas. Equally interesting and varied are the people who live throughout the country. In the eastern lowlands live cultural groups such as the Siriono, Tacana, Yabuti, and Chiriguano, while in the highlands the Quechua and Aymara speaking people are most common. Despite the many cultural differences throughout the country, Bolivians share the basic necessities of food and shelter for survival. As the national infrastructure of roads, electricity grids and gas pipelines expand across the country, rural groups find it easier to travel, conduct business and learn about the world. Because of the difficulty to provide for one’s family in countryside, people leave their rural communities and migrate to cities, where they hope to find employment and improve their financial security. Although different from that in the countryside, city life is equally difficult, as obtaining the basic needs now require money. This photo exhibit explores the process of migration and urbanization in Bolivia by following my friend Alvaro from his Aymara-speaking rural community near Tiwanaku to his current home in the city of El Alto. Beginning in the countryside, Alvaro and his family engage in a variety of means for agricultural production and animal husbandry. For traveling to the city, Alvaro employs both modern and traditional forms of transportation. Once in the city, Alvaro, like other migrants, must have a number of jobs in order to obtain and maintain food and shelter for his family. Some of these jobs come from his political affiliations with popular parties in the city while others are associated with the large markets that draw people from all parts of the region to purchase and trade goods. Frequently, Alvaro and his neighbors deal with the demands of urban life by raising food and animals in the city. Equally important to Alvaro is his spiritual life, an integral part of his successful survival in the city, as these rituals and beliefs provide him strength and guidance in his urban life. As an anthropologist, my goal is to better understand Aymara migrants’ adaptation strategies for living in the city, while as a photographer, I explore their process through images, which I share and discuss with Alvaro and his neighbors. These photographs depict migrants and their everyday urban existence, exploring the beauty of the mundane: the slice of life we often overlook as we search for the excitement of more exotic occasions. As well, it is important to reflect upon how migration and urbanization are rampant throughout the Americas and affect the lives of thousands of people living across this country and in its cities. I present this essay of photos to stimulate one’s curiosity for learning about cultures in other countries, but also as a mirror to view the processes as they occur in the United States. The research and photography for this project was conducted from 1995-97, 2000, 2005, 2007 and most recently in 2011 with funding from a variety of sources, including the J. William Fulbright Scholars Program. Jerome Crowder is a native Houstonian and visual anthropologist who earned his doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh (1998). Currently he is an Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the Institute for Medical Humanities at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. Dr. Crowder has traveled extensively throughout the Andes and South America, including an opportunity to teach and research at then National University of the Altiplano- Puno in 2003.

Sueños Urbanos

The South American country of Bolivia is diverse in its people, geogra ...

Updated: Feb 17, 2013 1:05am CST

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