UJ #17 - Traditional Peru

Diego Oliver
the cloth, he learned that it is a special kind only used
to fashion garments used by bishops. Finding it strange
that a young peasant boy was searching for such cloth,
the church decided to go after him. When they fount the
boys, however, the mystery boy turned into an image of
Christ on a stone, leaving everyone in awe. This image is
known today at the Lord of Qoylloriti, or the Star of snow.
The date of the celebration varies depending on the date
of Holy Week, as it is generally held 58 days after Easter
highest point of the mountain, where they spend the
night. Traditionally, each Ukuku was to return back down
the mountain with a big block of ice for their respective
nations, however, due to climate change, this symbolic
custom has been reduced to a single jar of water.
Upon their descent, the Ukukus are received by a
‘blessings’ mass, before beginning the last, farewell
procession for the Lord of Qoylloriti, an event that lasts
24 hours. This celebration is not just about devotion,
rather, it also provides the opportunity for members
of different high-Andean towns to come together and
establish important relationships that will benefit
community members.
Due to the physical demands of this pilgrimage, as well
as the deep significance and devotion behind it, this
festivity is not performed for tourists. This is an authentic
tradition that continues to honour its Andean essence
while respectfully incorporating Spanish beliefs.
There are no
distractions during
the communal
mass. Everyone
participates with
the same fervour,
no matter his or
her origins.
Sunday. Thus, sometime between the months of May
and June, the pilgrimage begins, departing from the town
of Mahuayani. The thousands of devotees are divided
into eight “nations” depending on their place of origin,
and together they walk eight kilometres from the starting
point, to the Sinakara sanctuary, located at the foot of
the Apu Ausangate. From here, surrounded by rock and
snow, participants make their way up the mountainside
towards the peak, dancing and singing Quechua songs
along the way. Every nation is represented in these
expressions of faith, and together over 100 songs and
dances are performed. Before arriving at the peak,
pilgrims make a stop at ’14 crosses,’ which represent the
Stations of the Cross.
THE APU AUSANGATE IS THE MOST
IMPORTANT SACRED MOUNTAIN
IN THE CUSCO REGION, AS WELL
AS THE HIGHEST, REACHING 6,372
METERS ABOVE SEA LEVEL.
Diego Oliver
The main characters in this ritual are the Ukukus. These
participants are in charge of maintaining order and
punishing those who break the rules. In addition, they
are the only ones permitted to make the journey to the
At night, candles illuminate the
crosses belonging to each nation.
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