Children of the Silver Mountain
Director Juan S. Betancor
Countries Spain
Duration 53 min
Synopsis
In 1545 Spanish conquerors discovered pure silver in a mountain in the Inca region of Kollasuyo, today's Bolivian Altiplano. They named this mountain Cerro Rico (Rich Mountain) and the prosperous and powerful city born at its base, Potosí. Soon they created the biggest mining industry in its time, sustained by a merciless forced labour system, "La Mita". After more than four centuries of operation the Cerro Rico of Potosí continues to offer silver, zinc and lead to forty-five cooperatives of miner, who work under dreadful conditions similar to those of their ancestors in colonial times. "El Tio" ("The Uncle"), the Lord Demon of the mine, is the true owner of its veins, and the miners worship him to win his favour. In exchange, the men must sacrifice their lungs in the obscure maze of the mountain tunnels. They, and those who live off this natural wonder, are the "Children of the Silver Mountain".
In 1545 Spanish conquerors discovered pure silver in a mountain in the Inca region of Kollasuyo, today's Bolivian Altiplano. They named this mountain Cerro Rico (Rich Mountain) and the prosperous and powerful city born at its base, Potosí. Soon they created the biggest mining industry in its time, sustained by a merciless forced labour system, "La Mita". After more than four centuries of operation the Cerro Rico of Potosí continues to offer silver, zinc and lead to forty-five cooperatives of miner, who work under dreadful conditions similar to those of their ancestors in colonial times. "El Tio" ("The Uncle"), the Lord Demon of the mine, is the true owner of its veins, and the miners worship him to win his favour. In exchange, the men must sacrifice their lungs in the obscure maze of the mountain tunnels. They, and those who live off this natural wonder, are the "Children of the Silver Mountain".