Jallalla

DEFINITION AND ORIGIN: This curious word has several meanings and uses. Its first formal appearance was in a dictionary of the vocabulary of the Aymara language in the year 1612 where it is said that the word ‘jallalla’ means “it’s good, it’s good”, used to reaffirm or assent (to assent) twice.

It also has other definitions of religious origin; it is said that, in the context of spiritual rituals, ‘jallalla’ is used both to ask for something (petition) and to thank the gods for the fulfillment of wishes (thanks). It is also said that mentioned three times in a row at the end of some religious ritual, it takes on a meaning similar to that of the words “please” and “thank you”, which, expressed three times, reaffirm the wishes and requests that are raised to the deities. religious.

‘Jallalla’ is a difficult term to categorize due to its multiple uses, both social and spiritual. Technically it could be said that it is a noun, but it could also be used as a verb or adverb of affirmation. Its use is widespread among the Aymara people of the Andean Altiplano region of Bolivia.