Qoyllur Riti: Etnografía de un peregrinaje ritual de raíz incaica por las altas montañas del sur de Perú

Abstract

The sanctuary Señor de la Estrella de Nieve (Star of Snow Lord -Qoyllur Riti) is located 4700 meters above sea level, in the Vilcanota Range of the Peruvian Andes. The festivity of Qoyllur Ritti is one of the most important mountain pilgrimages in the modern Andean world, congregating thousands of native Quechuas devotees every year, in late May or early June. The pilgrims engage in austerities such as purification by water, ritual dancing, whipping and ice climbing, in addition to completing a procession of over 30 kilometers on abrupt mountain terrain. Ritual activities also involve the presentation of offerings to the mountain spirits, as well as collecting sacred ice, which is believed to have healing properties. Based on the participant observations by the author, this paper studies the festivity of the Estrella de Nieve (Star of Snow), analyzing its ritual and symbolic elements (of probable ancient origin) which seem to echo some aspects of the ceremonies performed by the Inca civilization five centuries ago.