Chewing Coca Leaves Through the History
Chewing coca leaves, with their nutritional and energy providing attributes, was the only way that the Indios was able to continue the hard work hours and conditions labor. The use of coca increased rapidly during the colonial period, its use was apparent in the exploitation of indigenous labor in the fields and especially in the mines. The Andean culture, practically destroyed, was nonetheless able to conserve part of their way of life through the custom of reciprocation using Mama Coca. Today, coca continues to be an important factor and a fundamental cultural ideal for Andean villagers.