Qhapaq Raymi: “Season that gives excellence and greatness of spirit”

The Qhapaq Raymi festivity or cultural event was especially directed toward the male youths, hence being known as an “Empowering Festivity” meant for “the young men between 15 and 21 years of age”. So, in the Qhapaq Raymi they did something called Warachikuy, that consisted of tests of strength for the male youths. On the inner aspect of it, such tests were meant to get to know the innate spiritual qualities of the boys.

In order to celebrate this date, a good psychological-physical cleaning of the house is recommended, as well as one of our own person; a partial or whole fasting is allowed.

On summer’s solstice day, we must do a deeply psychological, introspective meditation in order to evaluate ourselves about our inner and innate capabilities, that grow throughout our lives by a conscious evolutive process known as Wiñay. If it happens that we have neglected this process, then now is the time to acknowledge it again and restart the personal work regarding it.

Passing on,
Emilio Urbay
Musician
Peru

Ayni: "Giving without thinking of getting anything back"



The Ayni is a reciprocity system that has been practised since the pre-Columbian times until today, based on the “give without thinking of getting anything back” principle. It is also the way our people live their lives, inside their cosmic space.

AYNI is a Quechuan word that means solidarity and cooperation. Beyond just a word, it is actually a way of living that originated in the ancient times, and manifests itself in social interactions based on cooperation and reciprocity: the AYNI means to give a helping hand during difficult moments, a help that will be eventually given back in the same measure.

The AYNI as a way of collective work is of the utmost significance in today’s Andean communities, in which it is applied as a survival strategy and a tool for the cultural integration between the indigenous families.

Passing on,

Emilio Urbay

Musician

Peru