Group of peasant led by Zárate Willka, who participated in the Federal War of 1899. Pablo Zárate (died 1905), also known as Willka ("sun" in

Aymara Aymara may refer to: Languages and people * Aymaran languages, the second most widespread Andean language ** Aymara language, the main language within that family ** Central Aymara, the other surviving branch of the Aymara(n) family, which today ...

), was an indigenous Bolivian ''

caudillo A ''caudillo'' ( , ; osp, cabdillo, from Latin , diminutive of ''caput'' "head") is a type of personalist leader wielding military and political power. There is no precise definition of ''caudillo'', which is often used interchangeably with " ...

'' who supported federalism in defense of indigenous autonomy. He was an officer in the

Bolivian army The Bolivian Army ( es, Ejército Boliviano) is the land force branch of the Armed Forces of Bolivia. Figures on the size and composition of the Bolivian army vary considerably, with little official data available. It is estimated that the arm ...

, reaching the rank of

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

, and led one of the largest Indian rebellions in the history of Bolivia.

Legacy

Zarate Willka Armed Forces of Liberation (Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Zárate Willka), a Bolivian guerrilla group organized about 1985, was named in honor of Willka.

References

1905 deaths 19th-century Bolivian people 20th-century Bolivian people Bolivian people of Aymara descent Executed Bolivian people Year of birth missing {{Bolivia-mil-bio-stub