Human-Bear Interaction
Before the Europeans arrived in South America, the indigenous, such as the Quechua in Peru, viewed the Spectacled bear as a mediator between the upper world, the gods, and the lower world, the humans. The bear was, and still is in some areas, a sacred creator worshiped by the Quechua. The Tuneba culture in Colombia view the bear as an older brother that watches over them and keeps them company. It is forbidden for members of this group to kill a Spectacled bear. The bear was a symbol of strength, virility, and knowledge. Many indigenous groups and non-indigenous alike, kill bears for the claws, teeth, hides, and protein. When the Europeans colonized South America this appreciation and understanding between humans and bear changed. The bear became known as “el salvaje” or, the savage. It became a dangerous animal that needed to be exterminated in order to protect people, crops, and cattle.
Juan Salvajito
Many myths and legends surround the life of the bear. One story tells of how a bear kidnapped a woman as she washed clothes by a river. He kept her in a cave for many years and they had a child, Juan Salvajito, who was half human and half bear. Eventually, Juan Salvajito and his mother were able to escape and villagers killed the bear.
Andean & Chinese Medicine
Chinese were brought to South America as contract workers in the 1840s to 1870s for work on plantations and guano mines. More immigrated during WWI and the again to escape communist rule starting in the 1940s. 5%-20% of Peru’s total population is made up of Chinese-Peruvians. With the immigration of Chinese brought the introduction of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The Chinese have been using bear parts as traditional medicine for thousands of years. Bear bile is said to cure and fight a number of ailments such as fever, inflammation, and pain reduction. Currently, with legal certification, a bear gall bladder can be purchased for between $30,000 and $50,000 (U.S.) per kilo. These medicinal practices have become an integrated part of South American culture over the years and have merged with pre-existing traditional medicine of Andean tribes.