The Last King of America

The only existing monarchy in the entire American continent survives in full Andes Bolivianos. Don Julio Pinedo, King of Afroboliviano, is a direct descendant of a former Congolese King, Bonifaz, and were brought to America by error from Africa by the Spaniards as many other slaves in full colonial era. Crowned monarch of the community is recognized by the Bolivian Constitution and the United Nations. Those old haciendas and slavery coca fields today give home to 35,000 Afrobolivianos, who are in coexistence with the Aymara. They are descendants of those first black slaves. They respect the figure of their King while they struggle by continuing to maintain their cultural identity. [Photo by Susana Giron/Bluephoto agency]