Qeswachaka the last Inca bridge -

Q’ESWACHACA

The last Inca bridge

Q’ESWACHACA

On the Apurímac River, in the Cusco region, at 3,700 m a.s.l. n. m., you can see an important Inca legacy that remains in force after more than six centuries. It is the Q’eswachaka bridge, a spectacular engineering work 30 meters long, made of straw and stone, which is preserved to this day and which in 2013 was designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Every year this place witnesses an incredible renovation. The community members gather to tear down the bridge built a year ago, letting its foundations fall into the river. Immediately, women and children collect the qoya-ichu or straw material that will be used to make the foundations of the new bridge.

What is the explanation for such an unusual ritual? Coming up next, we tell you.

Meaning of the ritual

Renewal and collective work are a constant within the Andean worldview. Just as the harvest succeeds the sowing and the shearing succeeds the raising of the sheep, certain architectural works must be replaced by others. It is the natural cycle of life.

For this reason, the construction of the Q’eswachaka bridge reflects, in addition to the art and talent of the inhabitants, the inauguration of a new year in the heights.

The Quechua communities of Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Choccayhua and Ccollana Quehue meet every year, in the style of the Inca minka or community work, to strengthen ties between them and start their activities.

In modern times, the bridge represents the validity of the union of people with their land and with their history. The annual renewal of the Q’eswachaka constitutes the central element in the social cohesion of the participating communities and is vital in shaping their cultural identity.

Duration and description of the celebration

First Day

After the payment to the land, the renovation of the bridge begins, where each family, from the different communities, has the obligation to carry a long q’iswa that will be delivered to the corresponding authorities, in charge of registering the participation of each one. of them, since in case of not fulfilling this task the family will be sanctioned. Once received, they are extended on a road located in the upper part of the river, to be intertwined and thus obtain thicker ropes, which will be the bases and handrails of the bridge. At the end of the day the big ropes are taken to the ends of the bridge and left until the next day.

Second Day

The second day begins again with the payment to Pachamama. Reconstruction work is then resumed. A villager crosses a long q’iswa that will serve as a guide to carry supplies from one end to the other, first passing the ropes for the base, which will be tied to each end of the bridge. When the base of the bridge is placed, the q’iswas that will act as handrails are passed. Once they are in position it is time to drop the old bridge. All this process is supervised by the chakaruwaq or Andean engineer, in charge of verifying the good construction of the bridge.

Third day

With the bases and handrails in place, work begins on the third day. The Andean engineer, together with his assistants, begin the weaving of the sides of the bridge, joining the handrail to the base. Two groups, of three people each, start the work at each end and finish when they meet in the middle of the bridge. This process can take several hours to complete. While construction continues, on the upper part of the bridge, the residents of the community of Choccayhua gather to make a type of carpet with leaves, branches and q’iswa that will cover the floor of the bridge. They also deliver longer branches called “callapos” that will serve to give it more stability. At sunset, once the reconstruction is finished, the local authorities are the first to cross the 29 meters that separate the banks of the river, and in this way the renovation of the last Inca bridge is finished.

Fourth day

On the fourth and final day, the communities gather to celebrate the completion of the bridge, where they eat, sing and dance from dawn to dusk.

Q’ESWACHACA

Meaning of the ritual

Duration and description of the celebration

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE Q'ESWACHACA BRIDGE

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