Have you ever found yourself stumbling upon something so weird and new, bizarre and thought-provoking? The culture in Peru gave us one of those moments.
We found ourselves in one of those experiences in Cusco, Peru by complete serendipity. We had no intention on being there, we just happened to be. We heard the drums, the cheers, and the chanting coming out from a nondescript church near the main market and decided to check it out.
During our inspiring walk through Cuzco we happened across a traditional dance. The name of it? I have no clue. If someone could enlighten us, we would be much appreciated. I didn’t know that over the next hour my eyes would be glued to the dancers with their exotic masks.
Let’s just say we ended up at a church with hoopin’ and hollerin’ guys in crazy colorful masks, carrying dead baby llamas on their backs while whipping the crap out of each other.
Enjoy the pics!
What it has to do with Christianity? No clue.
I have no idea what’s going on there, but it looks like a fun thing to be a part of 🙂
Very nice photos!
Ditto re: What’s going on exactly. I do love the colors though. How beautiful.
These are the best experiences: the most random ones. I remember a few years back in Florence, it was late at night, I was walking with someone I had just met and a kid’s train appeared out of nowhere and stopped in front of us. So naturally, I got on, and found myself in another part of town at a club with locals. One of the best nights ever. Beautiful pictures!
Wow these pics are AMAZING!!! I loooove the colors!
I love the one with the little girl!
So cool that you just happened to stumble upon this! Sometimes it’s these sorts of random experiences that end up being the best!
@Laurence: All the travelers were confused!
@Zorica: Thank you!
@Bula: That is so AWESOME! I would have gotten on a kiddie train too lol.
@Andi: Thank you! It was the colors that I loved so much.
@Heather: The one with the little girl is probably one of my most favorite pictures.
@Amanda: Seriously! And this was by far one of the more random ones for sure.
The pictures are beautiful. I just wished that no baby llamas had to be harmed in the making of this festivity.
@Nico: Yeah, they have a thing for using llamas no matter what age. :X
It looks like a traditional Cusco dance called cápac chuncho, a traditional Andean warrior dance. It is performed in various festivities, often in honor of Virgin Mary or a specific patron saint. A great example of Andean religious syncretism!
Thank you Anna! I was wondering. I was wandering around the internet blind when it came to finding the name of the dance. This is the reason why I decided to travel over going for my Masters – I’ve seen and learned such amazing things. (That and if I went back I would want to go for anthropology, archaeology, or religious studies (because I love the cross over of Catholicism and paganism)).