1.- INTRODUCTION TO THE Q’EROS NATION
The most important thing to understand about the Qeros Cusco is that they are part of an Andean population that is directly connected to the cultural heritage of the Incas. It has a great tradition that has survived over time and adversities occurred, they are recognized worldwide for having preserved the customs, language and even way of daily life as it was done in pre-Columbian times, directly their lifestyle is connected with the relationship of nature as they are directly associated with the land and ancestral beliefs so they have also become a great symbol of cultural resistance to the world that due to technology is constantly changing.
1.1.- Who are the Qeros Cusco?
A simple way to describe this Inca Cusco community, they are direct descendants of Inca lineage and at the same time are considered as part of the closest communities that once ruled the Tahuantinsuyo, however despite what time has passed and the centuries of colonization and republican have marked direct social and political changes, this town has maintained its cultural identity intact, even promoting the use of its native language, Quechua, as a symbol of respect for the traditional practices that subsist to this day. Currently they stand out mainly for their weaving skills, mountain agriculture and of course spiritual practices that are directly associated with the worship of Mother Earth or Pachamama.
1.2.- Geographic Location
The inhabitants of the Qero community are located in the high mountains that make up the Andes, on the southern side of the country. The population is quite close to the sacred valley and because of its location is directly associated with history and spirituality, because although the sacred valley has a historical connotation within the territorial extension of the Incas, the Qeros Cusco for generations have directly preferred to maintain their isolation in the highlands where they can have a more intimate connection with nature in addition to traditional practices and ancestral customs, thanks to the environment and challenging climate have consistently been able to preserve their traditional way of life.
1.3.- Cultural preservation
Although the advance of technology and globalization always represents a constant change within the lifestyle of society, the Qero culture has remained firm and intact, showing itself in various aspects such as religious festivities, spiritual healing practices, traditional music and dances as well as the usual clothing that a Qero villager can wear in their daily lives. The belief that is promoted in this population is undoubtedly to be firm to the harmonious relationship with nature starting from the worship of the Pachamama and also to the Apus (sacred mountains), with the constant advance of modernity has even come to recognize internationally to the Qero community for the effort they constantly have to keep alive its essence and culture.
2.- Q’EROS CULTURAL TRADITIONS
The Qeros Cusco have the recognition of being one of the communities that has preserved the cultural tradition that combines spiritual and ceremonial elements with the worldview and beliefs that are directly linked to nature, it is like seeing how this population lives according to the agreements and principles that have been established and transmitted for generations between the earthly world and the spiritual world.
2.1.- Principle of reciprocity (Ayni)
This foundation is basic in the daily life of the Qeros Cusco, based on the sense of reciprocity as a mutual exchange between people, nature and of course the spiritual world. With the practice of the Ayni it is understood that life must be balanced so that any type of action retributes a reaction, another way of interpreting it is that it reflects the idea that there is a purpose for everything and that being in harmony with the environment is fundamental to have a collective welfare.
2.2.- Respect for the sacred mountains (Apus)
The mountains are of natural ages protectors not only of the Qeros, but also of all the populations that inhabit the Peruvian Andes. According to Andean belief, it is known that each mountain has a spirit and is considered as a living being that has the power to influence the daily life of a nearby community. In moments of difficulty or celebration, the presence of the apus is involved since it is believed that the energy they contain also contributes to the balance between the earthly and spiritual worlds.
2.3.- Pachamama
Also considered as mother earth, is a spiritual deity that is represented as the central figure for the belief of the Qeros, is recurrently mentioned as the source of life and at the same time of abundance, the worship of this deity is a fundamental part of ceremonies and rituals that they have in their daily lives, for this reason it is common to see how the population provides offerings of all kinds to permanently maintain the balance with the earth and thus can ensure that there is a great harvest and prosperity which also represents a livelihood for them.
| “No one realizes how beautiful travel is until they get home and rest their head on their old, familiar pillow.” |
3.- Traditional ceremonies and rituals
- One of the main ceremonies that are performed by this community are undoubtedly the offerings of the despacho, which is considered as a ritual of gratitude or petition that is entrusted directly to the Pachamama or the Apu protector of their environment. For this, the villagers make an offering where they add very important elements such as coca, grains, seeds and many other elements that are part of nature which are gathered in a cloth and then are delivered within the ceremony, this symbolic act seeks to thank what is received from nature and at the same time ask for protection and health for the entire community, as well as prosperity in the various activities to be carried out.
- It is also common that in times of planting or harvesting ceremonies can be performed in search of benefits on the force of nature as is the case of the sun and rain that can be balanced correctly to ensure a great harvest, also the offerings are intended directly to mother earth and the surrounding mountains in search of a transparent and smooth agricultural cycle.
- It is also common that during the process of the year there are festivities that are directly related to the change of season which mark very important moments in nature, these celebrations are linked to the agricultural calendar and the lunar phases so they are used as a way of connection between the cosmic cycles to maintain a balance between the earthly and the spiritual.
- Many of these celebrations are accompanied with traditional music and dance that are part of the fundamental life of the Qeros Cusco community, the dances have been practiced and inherited for generations which are accompanied with musical instruments also developed in a handmade way by the local people where undoubtedly stands out the Quena, the Charango and the panpipes that are often made with natural materials such as cane, wood and leather. It is important to understand that the sound of music is not only to entertain but also to invoke energies of nature and to find the connection you are looking for with the ceremony.
4.- Q’EROS SHAMANIC TRADITIONS
Within the spiritual traditions that this population has, without a doubt, it stands out that being descendants of the Inca culture, they show a deep belief in the environment and the Andean world, in this way it is known that the spiritual world and the earthly world are directly connected. It is for this reason that shamanic practices have been very important within the cultural preservation and for this reason for centuries maintains its continuity and is cataloged as a base style within the usual life of the Qeros.
4.1.- Paqo
It is also known as Paqo still priest or shaman who has maintained the Andean tradition and is directly responsible for maintaining a balance between the people of the earthly world and spiritual forces, also implies having a direct connection with the spiritual world and the commitment to preserve this harmony constantly, for all those people who have been classified as Paqos are considered intermediaries between the two worlds and mainly fulfill the function of protecting the villagers and the community in general, however there are several types of people who practice these spiritual traditions and each has a specific role.
- Paqo of the community
This is the person in charge of directing the daily ceremonies and rituals that seek to prioritize the health, well-being and prosperity of the entire population, and is also considered the spiritual leader.
- Wise Paqo or Yachaq
It is a teacher of ancestral knowledge that seeks to transmit to the younger ones the knowledge of the spiritual energies, considered as a teacher.
- Paqo Healer
It is the person who specializes in works that have the purpose of seeking physical and spiritual healing through medicinal plants, ceremonies or rituals of energetic cleansing.
- Paqo of divination
Considered as one of the most important people within the entire population, his role is to interpret the signals that are emitted by the universe, he is directly in charge of reading symbols and divination for the future.
4.2.- Initiation
The life of a Paqo begins at a young age, when they are quite young they are chosen through other more experienced Paqos or by direct signal from the Apus so they can begin the long training, first is an oral transmission of wisdom and ancestral knowledge through this means the candidates must learn about the energy that emanates from the earth, spiritual beings, sacred plants, medicinal plants and all kinds of ceremonies. They are also participants in initiation processes that recurrently involve having a connection with the spiritual world directly associated with dreams, visions and trance states that are induced thanks to hallucinogenic plants. Rituals are part of intense ceremonies that often include fasting, purification baths and the use of medicinal plants.
5.- HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE
“Thanks to the particular way of life of the Qeros Cusco, during the last years they have been recognized as the last Inca which means the last community that lives under the standards of the organizational system that was implemented during the period of Tahuantinsuyo, directly this recognition makes it a link between the present and the past where respect for nature and the community is promoted.”
6.- FAQs ABOUT THE Q’EROS OF CUSCO
- Who are the Q’eros people of Peru?
The Qeros Cusco are an Andean community located in the high mountains of the Andean region of Peru, are quite popular for being considered direct descendants of the Inca culture and who have preserved in an intact way the traditions, spiritual beliefs and even way and lifestyle.
- Why are the Q’eros called the last Inca?
They are called this way because they maintain a close relationship with the culture and have chosen to maintain a lifestyle governed by the rules established during the Tahuantinsuyo, thus preserving many of the traditional customs and social foundations.
- Where is Q’eros located in Peru?
They are located exactly between the districts of Paucartambo and Quispicanchis, more than 4000 m above sea level. Thanks to this remoteness, they have been able to preserve a traditional lifestyle that has rarely come into contact with the outside world.
- Can tourists visit Q’eros communities?
Yes, visitors are now allowed to come to the Qeros community for tourism purposes to learn more about the culture and tradition, these activities are intended to preserve the knowledge and practices so that they are not lost over time.
- What is a Paqo in Q’eros tradition?
It is considered as a spiritual leader who is directly in charge of maintaining a balance between the earthly world and the spiritual world, they are also considered as direct intermediaries between the voice of men and at the same time the spirits considered as deities.
Now you know everything important about the Qeros Cusco, there is no excuse to postpone the trip. Auri Peru can create a special adventure just for you that will allow you to live in a direct way with this community and learn more about the culture that is kept alive in the Peruvian Andes, contact us and together we will make your trip have a purpose.
“Once a year, go somewhere you’ve never been before.”
