Origins & Early Life

Túpac Katari or Catari (also Túpaj Katari) (c. 1750 – 13 November 1781), born Julián Apasa Nina, was an indigenous Aymara leader who started a major rebellion in colonial-era Upper Peru (now Bolivia), laying siege to La Paz for six months. His wife Bartolina Sisa and his sister Gregoria Apaza participated in the rebellion by his side. The rebellion was ultimately put down by Spanish loyalists and Katari was executed by quartering.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Katari was born Julián Apasa in the jurisdiction of Sicasica and later moved to the nearby town of Ayo Ayo. He was born a peasant and worked as a trader of coca and baize. A member of the Aymara, Apasa took the name "Tupac Katari" to honor two earlier rebel leaders: Tomás Katari and Túpac Amaru, executed by the Spanish in 1572. Katari's uprising occurred at the same time as the rebellion of Túpac Amaru II, whose cacique leader claimed to be a descendant of the earlier Túpac Amaru. Túpac Katari had no traditional claim to leadership similar to that of Túpac Amaru II, which may well have prompted Katari to associate himself with earlier leaders.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Katari means "serpent, large snake" in Aymara; Amaru means the same in Quechua, the language of Tupac...

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