Dear
Readers,
The legend says that the founders of the Incan Empire came from the Titicaca Lake and were ordered by their greatest god, Waricocha (the Sun) to look for a perfect spot were the Tahuantuinsuyo would have its main capital. They walk and walk with a gold cane until it caved in the ground, and there they founded Cusco.
This is the place where the incas began, the highest navigable lake in the world, a place filled with beautiful landmarks, where people still lives with the customs of 400 years ago and one of the greates turistic places in Peru.
In this issue, we also have a short article about the remains of the Inca's religion after the spanish conquest, as well as news, interesting information, magical tours and more!
Regards
José and Cynthia
The Titicaca Lake is one of the most beautiful and mysterious places of America. Its waters bathe and conserve a mainly indigenous population, that still keep the traditions of the Incan empire.In this place the past and present join together, around one of the most emblematic places of the Incan culture and its mysteries continue to astonish us.
During an expedition conformed by divers of the navy military and Peruvian experts in oceanography, realized during the month of October 2002, they found remains that could be a lost city, constructed by a town predecessor to the Incas, under waters of the lake. The ruins and remains of what might be a hidden Incan citadel in the abyss of the lake were discovered. At 8 meters in depth of the lake, the divers managed to appreciate walls of stone perfectly fitted one with the other, very similar to the ones found in Machu Pichu. Within the submarine city there was also a stone platform with ceramic figures, which coincide with the offering places of the sacred sites.
Read the complete article...
There are 3,000 species of orchids in Peru?
One of 5 species of butterflies in the world is found in Peru?
Larco Herrera Museum in Lima is build over an archeological site?
Between 1560 and 1570, while the last Incas were still putting up a fight from their stronghold in the Vilcabamba region, the first great doomsday movement developed in the territories controlled by the Spaniards.The movement was known as Taki Onqoy, or "Illness of Song". Faced with mortal diseases that decimated the indigenous population, native prophets sprang up in the Ayacucho region and began traveling from village to village, announcing the imminent return of the Andean gods.
They said the world was a about to be turn upside down: the huacas, their ancient gods, where on the verge of vanquishing the European god, and the Spaniards and assimilated Indians will soon be exterminated.
Those who had submitted to Christianity were obliged to purify themselves by fasting and agreeing to sexual abstinence. They were told to get rid of any object, piece of clothing or custom of European origin and to never again enter a church.
Natives who claimed to be possessed by the huacas became preachers and were revered by many in their communities. When they arrived in a village, they demanded that all relics burned or destroyed by catholic missionaries return over to them. They would cover the remains with a blanket, douse it with a sacred fermented maize beer chichi, wrapped it with cornflour and invoke spirits with loud cries.
Once the ceremony was over, they would place the relic where it had been located before the arrival of the Spaniards and, with the following words, invited the community to worship it: "Do you see our protector and he who made us, giving us health, children and farmland? Put him in his place, where he sat during the time of the Inca".
Soon the movement spread beyond the isolated parts of the Andes and reached the cities. However, Spanish military repression crashed all attempts at revolt and ended by sacking Vilcabamba. The young Inca ruler, Tupac Amaru was captured and executed in 1752.
New circuit for birdwatchers is visited by journalists
David Cromack, British Journalist from the Bird Watching magazine had an amazing experience, when a "Pava Aliblanca" sat on his head. "I didn't know what to do, how I could say that I had pushed a bird in extinction
David Cromack, British Journalist from the Bird Watching magazine had an amazing experience, when a "Pava Aliblanca" sat on his head. "I didn't know what to do, how I could say that I had pushed a bird in extinction
danger. David, along with a group of journalists from Canada, USA and England visited our country invited by Promperu, to participate in the first press trip to visit the Northern Circuit for nature experts and bird watchers. According to the group, in the 9 day visit, they were able to observe more than 250 different bird species, a real record for this type of trips, but very small considering that Peru offers more than 1800 bird species, more than all Europe and the US put together.
New regulations for visitors to the archaeological areas in Cusco The National Institute of Culture ( INC), following Unesco recommendations established new regulations for the visitors to Sacsayhuaman, Machu Picchu and other archeological sites in Cusco. Visitors will not be able to smoke, drink alcohol and the use of rubber shoes is recommended. The purpose of these regulations is to better preserve these unique sites and the surroundings.
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