Caspana, Indigenous community in Calama, Chile.
Caspana is an Andean community situated at 3,200 meters above sea level in the Atacama Desert region, displaying traditional adobe houses with thatched roofs. The settlement features agricultural terraces that were constructed on the mountainside for farming purposes.
The settlement originated in pre-Columbian times as a significant Aymara community that has shaped the region for centuries. The early population developed farming methods that remain visible in the terraced fields used today.
The community gathers each year for the feast of San Lorenzo, featuring traditional music, dances, and local food that reflect both Spanish and Aymara heritage. These celebrations remain central to how residents connect with their identity and shared history.
The community is best reached by private transportation or organized tours from Calama, with local families offering basic guestroom accommodations. Visitors should prepare for cold mountain nights and wear comfortable walking shoes, as the elevation and terrain require proper preparation.
Residents cultivate potatoes and corn at high altitudes where these crops would normally struggle to grow, using methods passed down through generations. These farming techniques show how the community adapted to extreme terrain and weather to keep the land productive over centuries.
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