NATIVE COMMUNITIES

VISIT THE COMMUNITY OF WILLOQ 

There exist in the Peruvian Andes communities with a high degree of historical cultural identity despite centuries of cultural aggression, who maintain their customs almost unchanged, together with their mother tongue: Quechua is recognised in Peru today as the country’s second official language. In these communities traditions such as ayni and minka – principles of solidarity – are still upheld, together with sirvincuy (the cohabiting of a couple before marriage), and traditional ways of dress show the pride these people have in their unique identity.

 

WILLOQ.

This is one of few communities that conserve their authentic cultural patterns where although the inhabitants are bilingual their first language is Quechua – a richly expressive tongue and a testimony to a culture that achieved one of the highest levels of development on the pre-European American continent.

It is truly an extraordinary spectacle to see the children in school, in their typical dress - sandals, ponchos or shawls woven in bright colours, rustic skirts or trousers – receiving classes in both Spanish and Quechua.

At the rustic village market artisans offer ponchos, bags, blankets, belts and other articles woven with their own hands. Buying these wares is a way to help the community as well as keeping alive this weaving tradition.

 

SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS AND  WILLOQ  INDIAN MARKET 

This tour combines a visit to the markets of Pisaq or Chinchero, followed by Ollantaytambo, and then adetour to the Indian markets of the fertile Patacancha valley, where is Willoq community.

 

 

 

COMMUNITY OF URIN QOSQO

 

Urin Qosqo, which in Quechua means Lower Cusco, is an ancestral Quechua speaking village located close to an Inca archaeological site, where the National Institute of Culture has carried out excavations and research, finding pottery dated to 900 years before Christ. The cultures Chanapata and Lucre occupied the site before the Incas. An interesting fact revealed by the excavations at the site is that the inhabitants kept their dead in a kind of mausoleum within an area used for daily domestic activities. A kind of vaulted ceiling replaced the traditional straw roof of the time.

Next to this archaeological site, is the village of Urin Qosqo. These Quechua speaking inhabitants wear their traditional clothing and retain many of their oldest cultural patterns, which have been handed down from generation to generation. They are very proud of these customs, with which they entirely identify.

Today, with the help of institutions, local people have rebuilt their houses using mud brick and tile roofs of colonial design.

The scenery of this area is also very agreeable.

 

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