Qoyllur Rit’i - Part 3

That next morning I pulled myself out of my warm sleeping bag and off my rocky bit of earth shortly after 5 am. The music and dancing had not stopped throughout the night, not for one second. It was amazing.

I began climbing up the mountainside to join the groups that had already ascended the western slopes of the valley in the night. They positioned themselves in different locations where they would greet that first sunrise after the full moon.

This first sunrise would mark the beginning of the harvest for the people of the Andes. It is a time to celebrate and be grateful for all that Pachamama (Mother Earth) has provided. It is also a time for people to pray for the things they want to bring into their lives for the next year.

The drums and flutes rang throughout the valley and it was a beautiful sight to look upon. The troupes were dressed in the traditional, colorful attire of their communities and the group to which they belonged. One of the most interesting and impressive were those that were dressed as condors. They had climbed to the highest, rocky peaks along the western ridge to catch the very first rays of the sun.

After the sun had begun to rise and fill the valley they all began their descent. They joined the rest of the pilgrims that were preparing for the day ahead. This day would include the most important ceremony and procession which I was invited to join and to document. This was a huge honor as outsiders are traditionally not allowed to be inside this inner circle.

I will share that story with you in the next post.

MB