Quyllurit'i

What it is

Quyllurit'i is a major pilgrimage and festival held in the southern highlands of Peru. It blends indigenous Andean star worship with Catholic devotion. The event centers on the reappearance of the Pleiades constellation and the veneration of an image known as the Lord of Star Snow. Pilgrims travel to the Sinakara Valley to celebrate the agricultural cycle and seek spiritual blessing.

Where it comes from

The festival has deep roots in Inca astronomy, marking the return of the Pleiades after its disappearance. This event signaled the new year and upcoming harvest. A Catholic legend from the late eighteenth century adds a layer of meaning. It tells of a herder named Mariano who died after his friend Manuel was transformed into a bush bearing a crucifix. This site became the shrine of the Lord of Quyllurit'i.

How it is done

Pilgrims walk to the sanctuary carrying small images of Christ. They join large troupes of dancers wearing specific costumes. Ukuku participants climb glaciers to collect blocks of ice. These ice blocks are brought down to be melted for holy water. Dancers perform processions around the shrine, greeting the sunrise after the full moon.

Tools and materials

Dancers wear distinct masks and clothing representing different groups. Ch'unchu dancers use feathered headdresses and staffs. Qulla dancers wear knitted masks and llama skins. Ukukus wear dark coats and woolen masks. Machulas wear humpback costumes and walking sticks. Glacier ice serves as a medicinal tool for healing.

What it is for

The pilgrimage seeks protection and healing for the community. Ice from the glacier is believed to have medicinal qualities for body and mind. The festival marks the new year and ensures a good harvest. Participants commune with ancestral spirits and Catholic saints through dance and prayer.

Who does it

The main participants are indigenous peasants from two moieties. Quechua speakers from Paucartambo bring agricultural offerings. Aymara speakers from Quispicanchis bring livestock products. Ukukus act as tricksters and keep order among the crowds. They are chosen from within the community to perform sacred duties.

Peoples and places

The festival unites Quechua and Aymara communities in Peru. Some pilgrims also come from Bolivia. The geographic division reflects social roles, with farmers and herders participating together. Middle-class Peruvians and foreign tourists now also attend, changing the traditional dynamic.

What people believe

Indigenous belief links the Pleiades to the storehouse of abundance. Its reappearance signals the end of chaos and the return of order. Catholic belief honors the miracle of the Lord of Star Snow. The combination creates a syncretic worldview where stars and saints share reverence.

When it is done

The festival occurs in late May or early June. It coincides with the full moon and falls one week before Corpus Christi. It aligns with the Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. This timing marks the return of the Pleiades and the start of the agricultural year.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Scholars view the festival as a key example of religious syncretism. They study how Catholic rituals were used to displace indigenous ones. Researchers analyze the dance styles and their symbolic meanings. Anthropologists note the tension between traditional practices and modern tourism.

Compare and confuse

Quyllurit'i shares features with other Andean pilgrimages. It differs from pure Catholic festivals due to its astronomical timing. The star worship connects it to pre-Columbian Inca traditions. The dance styles resemble those found in other regional festivals.

Questions people ask about Quyllurit'i

Good reading and sources

• Quyllurit'i on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data