A chiva (Spanish for
goat
The goat or domestic goat (''Capra hircus'') is a domesticated species of goat-antelope typically kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat (''C. aegagrus'') of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the a ...
) or ''escalera'' (Spanish for
ladder
A ladder is a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps used for climbing or descending. There are two types: rigid ladders that are self-supporting or that may be leaned against a vertical surface such as a wall, and rollable ladders, such ...
and
stairs) is an artisan rustic
bus
A bus (contracted from omnibus, with variants multibus, motorbus, autobus, etc.) is a road vehicle that carries significantly more passengers than an average car or van. It is most commonly used in public transport, but is also in use for cha ...
used in rural
Colombia. Chivas are adapted to rural
public transport
Public transport (also known as public transportation, public transit, mass transit, or simply transit) is a system of transport for passengers by group travel systems available for use by the general public unlike private transport, typi ...
, especially considering the mountainous geography of the Andean region of these countries.
The buses are varied and characterized by being painted colorfully (usually with the yellow, blue, and red colors of the flags of
Colombia,
Venezuela
Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...
and
Ecuador
Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ' ...
) with local
arabesques
The arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of "surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils" or plain lines, often combined with other elements. Another definition is "Foli ...
and figures. Most have a ladder to the rack on the roof which is also used for carrying people, livestock and merchandise.
[ Revista Semana: La chiva]
semana.com Accessed 16 September 2007.
They are built upon a bus
chassis with a modified body made out either metal or wood. Seats are benchlike, made out of wood and with doors instead of windows. The owner or driver usually gives the vehicle a unique nickname.
In
Panama
Panama ( , ; es, link=no, Panamá ), officially the Republic of Panama ( es, República de Panamá), is a transcontinental country spanning the southern part of North America and the northern part of South America. It is bordered by Co ...
, the term Chiva is used to describe a
Toyota Coaster
The is a single-decker minibus produced by Toyota Motor Corporation. It was introduced in 1969, with the second generation introduced in 1982, followed by the third generation in 1993 and the fourth generation in late 2016. In Japan, the Coa ...
or another similar bus operating in a manner similar to a
Chicken bus
Bus transport in Central America is a major mode of transport and important in commerce in the area, as personal automobiles and rail transport are less common than in some wealthy nations.
The buses are often called by the Spanish terms "camio ...
. Unlike Chicken buses, Chivas are often painted white.
History
Chivas were first introduced in the
Antioquia Department in the early 20th century. Peasants of the region usually relied on
horse-drawn vehicles for the transportation of goods and themselves. In 1908 Colombian engineer Luciano Restrepo and Colombian mechanic Roberto Tisnes imported a
chassis from the United States. In
Medellin they built the first body. This first bus was used in a route between downtown Medellin to the town of El Poblado. The first models were very basic, with a canvas-made roof and four benches. The body of newer models were modified with a
roof rack
A roof rack is a set of bars secured to the roof of a motor car. It is used to carry bulky items such as luggage, bicycles, canoes, kayaks, skis, or various carriers and containers.
They allow users of an automobile to transport objects on ...
so peasants could transport their goods.
There is no official account of when this kind of bus first arrived in western Antioquia. In the book 'Memories of my land' ''(Memorias de mi tierra)'', Colombian writer
Alirio Diaz Alirio is a given name of uncertain origin, perhaps from a popular form of Latin Hilarius. Notable people with this name include:
* Alirio Díaz (1923–2016), Venezuelan classical guitarist and composer
* Alirio Palacios (1938–2015), Venezuel ...
tells about the first vehicles ever to arrive in Antioquia through the Las Palmas Road. The most reliable account is found in the book 'Notes for the History of San Vicente' ''(Apuntes para la Historia de San Vicente)'' where Colombian author Ricardo Zuluaga Gil narrates the arrival of the first chiva:
![Chiva Turismo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Chiva_Turismo.JPG)
The term ''escalera'' (ladder) was coined because the buses have a ladder, usually located on the rear of the bus. This ladder allows people to put their belongings and goods on top of the bus. The bus became a rural solution to the need of moving both cargo and passengers simultaneously. The most particular and substantial feature of this buses is the combination of wood and metal. However, the aesthetic interpretation given through the years to this buses became the most cultural trademark of rural Colombia in the early 20th century. This aesthetic approach to a tool that became of utmost importance to the peasants developed naturally and some of them have as of today evolved into actual pieces of art.
Symbol of Colombia and controversy
![Colombian chiva explained](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Colombian_chiva_explained.svg)
Chivas are recognized nationally and internationally as a symbol of Colombian culture, in particular of rural Colombia. On the other hand, they have been controversial and a subject of criticism. The main reason is that chivas, rather than being a symbol of Colombia's diverse urban and rural culture, are instead a symbol of underdevelopment and of the rustic
hacking of a machine intended to be used in urban areas.
Today
![Chiva Guayaquil](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Chiva_Guayaquil.jpg)
The "Jeepao" is a similar version of the chiva, but in a Willies Jeep.
Other locales
![Chiva Queens Nueva york](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Chiva_Queens_Nueva_york.jpg)
The unique buses be found in South America but also in other locales, including the United States. As the population of Colombian Americans and Ecuadorian Americans has risen in
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
; so has the use of the customized bus. Developed into party buses equipped with their own bar, these can often be found carrying partygoers around the city.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Blythe Barrymore (born February 22, 1975) is an American actress, director, producer, talk show host and author. A member of the Barrymore family of actors, she is the recipient of several accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and a ...
,
Lucy Liu
Lucy Alexis Liu is an American actress. Her accolades include winning a Critics' Choice Television Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Seoul International Drama Award, in addition to nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award.
Liu has sta ...
, and
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Michelle Diaz (born August 30, 1972) is an American actress. With a variety of works in film, she is widely recognised for her work in romantic comedies and animation. Diaz has received various accolades, including nominations for ...
arrived in a Chiva for the New York premiere of ''
Charlie's Angels''.
The party buses are also used in Panama with the term ''Chiva Parrandera''.
Chivas are very similar to the concept of a
tap tap
''Tap taps'' ( ht, Taptap, ) are gaily painted buses or pick-up trucks with metal covers[Ha ...]
in
Haiti.
See also
*
Customised buses
Customised buses are buses that have been modified for decorative purposes. The customisation is unrelated to performing their job or work, usually as public transport buses. Customised buses are also sometimes not used for a job or work, and are ...
*
Dekotora
, an abbreviation for "decoration truck", are a style of decorated trucks in Japan. Commonly featuring neon, LED or ultraviolet lights, detailed paintjobs and murals, and stainless steel or golden parts (both on the exterior and the interior ...
*
Jingle truck
Truck art in South Asia is a popular form of regional decoration, with trucks featuring elaborate floral patterns and calligraphy. It is especially common in Pakistan and India.
During the War in Afghanistan, Pakistani decorated trucks that ran ...
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chiva Bus
Customised buses
Buses by type
Tourism in Colombia
Transport in Colombia
Transport in Ecuador
Decorated vehicles