Capuli Fruit Ready to Eat
By Brayan Coraza Morveli (translated by David Knowlton)
In Cuzco we have a treasure that germinates year round and dazzles in February and March. With the bright and attractive reddish color of each fruit it calls out to all who pass by as if by magic. Read the rest of this entry
Paccha in Cuzco
Five centuries have passed since the Inca Empire was destroyed and yet images and stories of the Incas abound in Cuzco and its region. A lot of history, new stories, and new events have taken place in that time, but the Inca–or at least a single Inca, Pachacutec — reigns supreme both in people’s memory, in stories, in statues, and in murals on walls. Read the rest of this entry
Dancing in Cuzco
By Walter Coraza Morveli and Brayan Coraza Morveli (translated by David Knowlton)
Through movements, coordination, and choreographed sequences of bodies dance communicates the dancers feelings as well as a lot of information. The different communities of Cuzco express their identity and culture through their dance, and this has a very long history here, from well before the Spanish came. On seeing a dance you can recognize through the movements and the costumes where the dance is from and what the regions tradition and customs are like. Read the rest of this entry
Chuño Lawa
By Hebert Edgardo Huamani jara (translated by David Knowlton)
Though summer in Cuzco, it may as well be winter, since people tend to stay indoors during the cold afternoons when it rains. When it is chilly like this people look for something hot. What is better for lunch or diner than a delicious hot soup such as chuño cola (lagua,) as its called in Quechua, a purée of traditional freeze dried potatoes, that draws one in with its taste and texture. Read the rest of this entry
Fruit at Ttio Market
By Walter Coraza Morveli (translated by David Knowlton)
It is the rainy season in Cuzco and also time to enjoy fresh fruit. Cuzco fills with fruit during this season and one can enjoy not just the fruit but their products, from the yogurt with fresh fruit that is commonly offered for breakfast to all kinds of exotic fruit juices.
During this time of the year, from December to March, the falling rain has cause trees,bushes, and other plants to flourish and Cuzco fills with an ample variety of fruit.
Carnival: Dancing Around the Yunza
By Hebert Edgardo Huamani Jara (translated by David Knowlton)
Carnival is a feast filled with color and tradition. People perform typical dances of the region around the yunza tree, with traditional costumes from their various locales that are filled with symbols and colors. There joy and love come together through the dialogue of colored, rolled up streamers opened around the necks and shoulders of dancers like a sharing of happiness. Read the rest of this entry
Doll Representing a Comadre as a Social Type
Text by David Knowlton, Photos by Hebert Edgardo Huamaní Jara and Walter Coraza Morveli
In the lead up to Carnival, Cuzco celebrated yesterday a fascinating event called the Day of the Comadres. This day is dedicated to one of the really important social relationships in the city, that between parents of children and the people who agree to sponsor them as their godparents. In Cuzco these people are called comadres and compadres. But the day is also a time to celebrate stylized images–life sized and larger rag dolls of picturesque figures of Cuzco. Read the rest of this entry
Mushrooms
By Hebert Edgardo Huamani Jara (translated by David Knowlton)
From November to April rains bathe Cuzco´s countryside. Its forests flourish. Among them the ground is painted with mushrooms as life arrives at its high point. Read the rest of this entry
Valentines Day Gift Bag
By David Knowlton, with the help of Walter Coraza Morveli and Hebert Edgardo Huamani Jara
A chasm splits Peru and one of its signs is love. On this Valentine’s Day one might think love is the same everywhere; marketers certainly want it to be. But in Peru there are big differences that signal a major gulf in the country. It is the break between city and countryside, even though urban culture is more powerful and invasive every day. Read the rest of this entry
Humintas
By David Knowlton with help from Brayan Coraza Morveli
What is yellow and white, folded over, ancient and modern? An huminta, of course, one of the amazing delicacies of the Andes. And, this is the time of the year to enjoy it. Read the rest of this entry
