SEKINO'S REPORT
THE PERUVIAN ANDES Part 2
Here, in the middle of the world's longest mountain range, extending 8,000
km north to south, the great Inca empire once thrived with it's distinctive
culture. The Inca civilization was not built in a day. The Inca's world
view, social organization and technologies were developed through the
efforts of many people over several thousand years.
The Inca rulers treated their Indian subjects well. However, the Spaniards
who conquered the Inca empire plundered everything of value in sight and
destroyed or stole virtually all of the Inca's cultural treasures. The
Indians were forced to labor under inhuman conditions in mines and on farms
run by the Spaniards.
The Peruvian Andes are divided into three zones: the Selva (tropical rain
forest), the Sierra (mountainous highlands) and the Costa (coastal desert).
The Indians who continue to live in these regions are proud people who use
their lands effectively and still maintain many Inca traditions.
For example, at the beginning of June, there is an annual pilgrimage and
celebration of the stars and snow. In addition to the pilgrims, almost 300
orchestras gather in the mountains at 4,000 meters. When they start to
play music, it seems like the whole valley itself is shaking. Each
orchestra consists of four to ten people who play instruments such as
drums, trumpets, violins, and tubas. Each group plays as an individual
unit, and sometimes one of the bands is out of tune. Somehow, however, the
total effect is harmonious as this big collective orchestra performs in the
spacious valley.
As many as 50,000 pilgrims camp out around a chapel. They make an
enclosure with stones and put a plastic sheet on top and sleep under it
with a blanket or poncho. Since most of them cook for themselves, in the
morning a murky cloud of smoke hovers around the chapel. But lately some
of the pilgrims have started to purchase a meal at the simple cafeterias
set up under tents.
The Indians say that if people take part in this festival for three
consecutive years they will be assured of good luck. Beginning in 1981,
Sekino took part in the pilgrimage for three consecutive years Although he
did not have any particular good luck, he also did not have any bad luck,
such as suffering a misfortune. He believes he is lucky since he is still
traveling safely.
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