Definition of Wiphala Flag

Some ethnic groups that descend from Andean communities use a flag as a distinctive element, the Wiphala flag. With it, two complementary ideas are being expressed: belonging to the tradition Andean pre-Columbian and, at the same time, a resistance cultural to preserve their traditions against the established power.

The ethnic groups that use this banner are the following: Collasuyu, Chinchasuyu, Antisuyu and Cuntisuyu. The communities of these peoples belong to the Aymara-Qhishwa culture and are found in different territories of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Argentina.

Different versions of the same flag

The wiphala flag stands out for its color, as it is made up of seven colors distributed in 49 squares. Each of the colors has a meaning. Thus, red symbolizes mother earth, orange refers to culture, yellow represents Energy and the solidarity, green alludes to farming, blue symbolizes space and violet expresses the Andean mentality. Sometimes the banner presents some changes depending on the people that use it.

The main variant appears on the diagonal of the flag (white squares for the community Collasuyu, red for Chinchasuyu, green for Antisuyu and yellow for Cuntisuyu)

As for the word Wiphala, it comes from the language Aymara and is formed by two concepts (wiphay which means triumph and laphagi which means force in the wind). With regard to the flag there is no agreement on its exact origin. In fact, there are several versions.

Some researchers argue that the sign could be more than 1000 years old and others affirm that its origin It is much more recent, since the use of flags is not part of the tradition of the pre-Columbian peoples. Despite controversies, the Wiphala flag began to become popular in the 1970s among Bolivian indigenous peoples, who expressed their unity and strength by waving the Wiphala flag.

The flag is used in different contexts: cultural celebrations, demonstrations, ceremonies, etc. In any case, when the Whipala banner is raised, a spirit of resistance, of struggle and of identity cultural. East symbol ethnic was officially recognized by the Bolivian state in 2008.

The gypsy people and their flag

Like the Andean ethnic groups, the gypsy people have also been oppressed and persecuted throughout history. Despite this, it maintains an identity and a culture.

Since 1971 there has been a flag that represents all the gypsy people. It is divided into three colors: the blue in its upper part that symbolizes the sky, the green that represents the earth in its lower part and in the center appears the wheel of a cart in red.

Photos: Fotolia - Gilbertc - Tindo