Absent Heritages: The role of women in the construction of new discourses at the Museum of Living Afro-Bolivian Culture in Tocaña, La Paz

Abstract

This study expands upon previous research by exploring the heritage narratives created by Afro-Bolivian women, specifically within the context of the exhibition “Maps of Life: Genealogies of Women from the Tocaña Community” (2022). The analysis is organized around two key axes. First, it examines the everyday experiences and activities of these women, focusing on their valuation within cultural heritage. Second, the study addresses the social construction of bodies and identities for women within the cultural and social framework of the Afro-Bolivian community in question. This multidimensional approach enables a detailed critique of conventional methods and criteria employed in the identification and valuation of cultural heritage. Furthermore, the work advocates for a more equitable representation of voices and experiences that are often marginalized in heritage-making processes. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the pressing need to implement more inclusive and pluralistic museum models. These models are not only crucial for preserving the collective memory of the community but also for disseminating a cultural heritage that accurately reflects the diversity and complexity of human experiences within that community.