Educational Media Reviews Online

Around 500 B.C., one of the most ancient and developed races existed in the Calchaqui Valley of Argentina. Unfortunately, the arrival of the Jesuits in 1558 signaled the downfall for the Quilmes. When the Jesuits showed the Quilmes the Bible and they refused to be converted to Catholicism, the priest decided to respect their natural beliefs under the assumption over time this indigenous population could be converted since the priest would remain in the community for a long period of time. However, when the King of Spain discovered that the Jesuits had adapted their teaching to the Quilmes’ cultural norms, he expelled the Jesuits and ordered books and manuscripts relating to the Quilmes destroyed. To this day, it is difficult for researchers to find information about the Quilmes.

Miguel Mamani uses this 22 minute documentary to transmit the unwritten oral history of his people, in order to combat their near extinction from historical record. He explores the cultural heritage, belief system, social and political organization, annihilation, and remaining ruins of the Quilmes. While the last full blooded member of the Quilmes died in Buenos Aires in 1821, their descendents are learning to respect their origins and are reclaiming and rescuing their culture.

The documentary is very clear cut and stays on point with regard to its mission of recording the existence of the Quilmes and providing an overview of their culture. However its brevity is a drawback. Just as the audience discovers the Quilmes and becomes interested in their history, the film ends. Also, the subtitles tend to flash across the screen very quickly and for those who have only a beginner’s knowledge of Spanish will find it difficult to understand Mamani. The Quilmes According to Miguel Mamani is recommended for those interested in ancient civilizations, early Latin American history and Indigenous studies.

Awards

• 1st Prize “Social Heritage” National Documentary Video