My personal Relationship with the Ekeko, God of Abundance

By: Randall Julio Chambers — Vargas

Growing up Bolivian — American in the suburbs was difficult to say the least. I remember going to grade school in the “lilly white" with a packed lunch of paoaliza and rice. I was already neurotic and had trouble fitting in. It only made it worse. Especially in my deep res part of a Colorado. Believe it or not the further out you get from Denver or Boulder the more conservative it gets.

Every Monday my mom would pack us Paoaliza and rice for lunch. I distinctly remember by friend making fun of my brown stew. I ran home to my mom. “mom, I want cheese sandwich and cheese and crackers!” I didn’t really know the names, being a halfer, but I meant to say grilled cheese and lunchables. Bless her heart she made a cold cheese sandwich, and a separate baggy of Ritz crackers and slices of cheddar.

Every January my mom would put a cigarette in her Ekeko. A week before her friends would come over to pray to the virgin. “ni padre no Madre….” The whole bit. Growing up I didn’t understand that other families weren’t different.

There is a Holiday in Bolivia and surrounding countries called Alasitas. Alasitas is the parade of miniatures. Basically it’s a testament to future wealth, happiness, prosperity, and love.