Youth Quechuas of the Andean South of Peru from a decolonial view

Abstract

We analyse the situation of the Quechua indigenous youth of the Andean south of Peru to problematize from a decolonial perspective their social, cultural, political and symbolic place in the Peruvian society. We explain, using secondary sources (the 2017 national census) and primary sources (survey and meetings with young Quechua from three south Andean communities), how they are affected by the deep inequalities that exist in the country, while resisting in their culture and language from other ways of living life close to the Good Living project or Sumak Kawsay. A historical, social, political and cultural approach is made to the ways of life of the Quechua youth of three communities in southern Peru (Asacasi, Cuticsa and Anchihuay Sierra), and of Quechua youth studying the Bilingual Intercultural Education career in a private university in Lima. In both areas the young Quechua reproduce and renew their culture without staying out of the capitalist and neoliberal hegemony.