Perhaps the title of this post is unfamiliar to you. The reason is that “Qoyllur Rit’i” is a Quechua language word, the ancient language of the Incas; however, the meaning of this festival is deeper than you think. Stay with us because we’ll tell you what this party consists of, and the importance it has for locals.
This is a three-day religious pilgrimage that spans more than 8 km and takes place in a secluded part of the Ausangate region. It involves dance, devotion, and worship. In early June, exactly on June 18, this huge feast gathers tens of thousands of people. It includes pilgrims, dancers, musicians, and tourists.
"Qoyllor" signifies "first rising star," while "Rit'i" implies "snow." Qoyllur Rit'i is an optical effect that occurs when a rising star appears to be perched atop a snow-capped mountain. Worshippers pray to mystical beings for their animals' well-being and a bountiful harvest. It's moving to watch, and the excitement becomes overwhelming.
The festival is a mix of two cultures as it joins the Catholic church and Andean beliefs. Locals and guests worship "Apus", or mountain gods, like Apu Ausangate. They do this while carrying long and heavy crosses.
The legend has it about an Indigenous boy named Mariano Mayta. He lived in Ocongoate, a village 3 hours from Cusco. He used to go out and feed his animals, but one time he met Manuel, a boy who was Mariano’s age, well-dressed, with a light complexion. In addition to helping Mariano with his everyday tasks, this child shared his meals with him.
Mariano had a large increase in animals thanks to Manuel. Mariano's father offered to purchase fabric for Manuel to wear as an act of appreciation. After Mariano received a sample of the fabric from Manuel, he was given directions to look for it in Cusco. Mariano got the same answer everywhere in Cusco, that only bishops were the only people to use that exquisite cloth.
Mariano requested to visit the parish priest upon his return to Ocongate, and the priest went with him to see Manuel. The youngster was tending the flock when they got there, but what struck them most was that he emitted a magical white light. The priest returned a few days later, accompanied by the locals and the police.
When he saw them, Manuel ran away and hid behind some rocks, with Mariano trailing behind. When locals arrived, they discovered Mariano, who had been buried beneath the rock containing the image of Christ crucified bleeding from his wounds. Later, King Charles III ordered and sent it to Spain making locals furious. With time, a replica was made and eventually, it received the name of Señor de Qoyllur Rit i.
People travel from all across Cusco to make offerings during this occasion, walking for extended periods. Although the pilgrimage's exact date is not set in stone, people who participate in it always keep in mind that it occurs between May and June on the Andean calendar. Along the way, it's usual to witness processions accompanied by fireworks and "alacitas."
These are significant because they are small-scale crafts that depict a variety of objects, including homes, vehicles, animals, etc. Individuals purchase them as part of a ritual, thinking that owning these small replicas will eventually enable them to attain the larger original things.
This devotion indeed incorporates the beliefs of Andean religions, even though the figure revered on the rock is an invocation of Christ, making the visit compliant with Christian rites. Numerous festivities are honoring this group, and similar to numerous other commemorations of Catholic saints and virgins, they obfuscate a ceremony honoring the divinity of the Andes.
In this instance, it has to do with the community's protection from the mountains (the one that houses the picture of Christ in this instance), the fertility of Pachamama (Mother Earth), and the adoration of the Apus. It takes around five hours to reach the snow-covered peak for pilgrims (more than 4000 meters above sea level), who meet the image of the Lord when they arrive in an orderly fashion by nationalities or groups.
Important Andean figures, such as the so-called "pablitos" or "pabluchas," also referred to as "ucucos," are frequently seen on this day. These maintain order at the different festivals and offerings presented to the Lord in addition to acting as middlemen between the followers and the sacred Lord.
To perform other Andean rituals, groups of people also climb the summit of the snow-capped mountain where the Lord resides on this day. The day after the pilgrimage, the communities that have come to pay their respects continue the celebrations with dances and songs in the Lord's honor.
A part of this “Snow Star” Festival has changed recently, even if the traditions surrounding the event haven't changed over time. Regretfully, like the rest of the world, Peru has lost over 25% of its glaciers due to climate change over the past few decades.
The pilgrim countries have ceased producing ice slabs to be sent back to their hometowns as the ice retreats, and glaciers are no longer ceremoniously used during the Qoyllur Riti celebration.
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