The Andes Mountains begin in Equator passing through Peru and into Bolivia. Nestled between Peru and Bolivia at 13,000 feet above sea level is the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca. Most of the people of the Andes are of Inca heritage with ancient traditions in a Spanish country. While Spanish is the official language many people also speak the Inca languages of Quechua and Aymara. The landscape of these majestic mountains ranges from stark beauty to pristine sapphire water. There are a few modern bustling cities, but most of the people live in smaller towns or mountain communities that are not quite as modern, but many now have television and are linked to the communication of the world. In the cities there are internet cafes where you can check your email. In many communities there is at least one establishment that has a computer. Satellite dishes have made TV and cell phones a reality on even the Reed Islands on Lake Titicaca. Yet with all of these new modern conveniences most people in the Andes still wear the colorful native garb and signature hats. They laugh easily and fiesta often. The people are friendly and welcoming.

The temperature in the altiplano, the lowlands of the Andes (under 14,000 feet in altitude), is rather pleasant. The seasons change more by rainfall than by temperature. Nights are a bit cold to chilly and days can require a winter jacket to short sleeve shirts. The secret is always to layer. If you find yourself in need of warmth there are always beautiful handmade sweaters available, as well as hats and gloves, at very reasonable costs. There are local women selling their wares both in the city and throughout the countryside. Everyone is willing to barter and a profitable and enjoyable time can be had by all.

In the cities many of the people wear modern clothing, yet in some cities and in the smaller towns and countryside the women usually wear a long skirt and have a cholla or shawl. Many women also prefer to wear bowler hats. Each community has a different pattern of weaving of their textiles and  their hats. You can immediately know what community a man is from by identifying his hat. The woven pattern of their special ponchos is also an identifying item. Hats can also tell you by color and design a person’s status in the community and whether or not they are single, in a trial marriage, or married. Up until the 1940’s everyone in the Andes used natural dyes for their weaving. Today only a few weavers use the natural dyes. For people who buy and collect textiles, the older fabrics with natural dyes are more valuable. It is not uncommon for men to sell you the ponchos they are wearing or the coca bag that they are carrying. The altar or mesa cloths are an important textile in that they have many spiritual meanings in their design. The Q’ero community is most known as the community that has most closely kept the dialect, customs and knowledge of the ancient Incas. Therefore their weavings, especially their altar cloths, are most sought after. These cloths are spread on the ground to hold the “power tools” used in offerings called despachos. These ceremonies honor  Mother Earth or the Apus, the Light Beings of the Mountains.

The Q’ero people, like most of the people, are Catholic in their religion and Inca by their heritage and customs. This is a very natural and fluid blend in the Andes. They have ceremonies to honor Mother Earth and week long festivals to honor the Madonna. They also have special festivals in which there are hundreds of stalls of miniatures, which depict every area of life. You purchase a particular miniature, often with a small ceremony, and then stand in line to have it blessed by the Catholic priest. The miniature symbolizes your intention for the upcoming year. If you are in school you may purchase a miniature diploma. If you intend to travel you would buy a miniature suitcase. If you hope to own a new home, you would purchase a miniature house, etc. The miniature is used as a symbol of your intention. Of course there is also music, food, and many greetings with friends and family during this festival of the miniatures.

In the Andean culture there are many ways to ritualize intention.    Coca leaves are a staple to the people and in many communities people carry a special woven bag to hold their coca leaves. The leaves are chewed throughout the day. They help with the altitude and many tourists benefit from the coca tea. I must point out that the leaves are not cocaine as a drug form, which takes special processing  of  the  plant.   People have  drunk  the  tea  and  chewed  the coca leaves for untold centuries. Offering the coca leaves to another is a form of friendship and socializing. They are also used in the offerings or ceremonies. Three coca leaves are placed one on the other in the shape of a fan. The participant then blows their intention onto the leaves to be taken by the Mother Earth or the Light Beings to the Upper World of the Spirits. Coca leaves are an ever present part of life in the Andes.

Outside of the cities, many people work in the fields or raise animals as their means of income. Quinua is a nutritious grain that is grown throughout the area. Corn and potatoes are two of the most important crops. There are literally hundreds of varieties of potatoes grown in the Andes and many varieties of corn. Actually the potato was first grown in the Andes and takes its name from the terraces called pata patas on which they were grown centuries ago. All of their food is brought to the marketplaces and sold or bartered. The food is both colorful and delicious. Everywhere, but especially at the higher elevations where these crops do not grow, the people raise llamas and alpacas. The countryside is alive with these beautiful creatures. Tourists can buy many products made from their wool, with baby alpaca being the most valued in scarves and sweaters.

A vital part of the culture is the people’s attitude to family and community. The family is the most important thing in life in their tradition. However, their concept of family includes the extended family, which can encompass most if not all of the smaller communities. Also the family includes the animals or pets, the crops and the house. All are seen to be alive in that they care for the person and the person needs to care for them. The Andean people do not make a distinction in their everyday life between the physical and the metaphysical. All blends together to celebrate life. One of the most charming festivals that they have in some communities is the festival of the llamas in which they decorate the ears of the animals with tassels and offer them chicha which is a local corn beer that is drunk at most festivals Fiestas often last for days and are an important part of the life in both cities and countryside. The people of the Andes have music and dancing all day and into the night. Many fiestas last for days and even a week. Even though many have a minimum of things the people are full of joy and celebration. The culture of the Andes is rich and colorful. There is much to celebrate.