Takanacuy: The Power of Warmis and Andean Legacy / El poder de las Warmis y el legado Andino

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_{Warmis in the stands, waiting for the battles to begin. I really loved this composition.}

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English

Hello, my dear friends from the Black and White community.

Today, I bring you the heart, the joy, and the power of Takanakuy: the women. In Quechua, we call them Wamis powerful women full of joy and strength. They play an essential role in Takanakuy, preparing communal meals and chicha de jora, a delicious traditional beverage made from fermented corn. During the festival, everything is free; it is all funded by the godmothers and godfathers, as well as the goodwill of all the Takanakuy participants.

I am striving to ensure my narrative always focuses on a specific theme. I know some photos might feel repetitive, but during those two days, I worked tirelessly for nearly 12 hours, photographing under the sun and traveling long distances to bring you these images. Most importantly, I want to share a piece of my country’s beautiful culture with all of you.

"Peace, Love, and Unity. Best vibes to everyone."

¡Kachkaniraqmi! (Quechua: Until we meet again)

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Español

Hola mis queridos amigos de la comunidad Blanco y Negro.

Hoy traigo el motor, la alegría y el poder del Takanakuy: las mujeres. En quechua las Wamis, mujeres poderosas llenas de alegría y fuerza. Ellas cumplen un papel esencial en el Takanakuy, preparan las comidas comunales y la chicha de jora, un brebaje muy rico en base a la fermentación del maíz. En la fiesta todo es gratis, todo sale del bolsillo de los padrinos y de la voluntad de todos los participantes de la fiesta del Takanakuy.

Estoy tratando que mi narrativa siempre vaya de la mano con un tema en especial. Sé que estoy repitiendo fotos, pero en esos dos días he trabajado arduo, casi 12 horas fotografiando bajo el sol y viajando largos tramos para poder regalarles estas fotografías. Lo más importante siempre para mí es poder mostrarles un poquito de la hermosa cultura de mi país.

"PAZ, AMOR Y UNIDAD. Buenas vibras a todos."

¡Kachkaniraqmi! (Quechua: Hasta que nos volvamos a encontrar)

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📸 Photo Gallery / Galería Fotográfica

_{"Mamichas (as they are affectionately called) dancing to the tunes of Takanakuy, walking through the stands before the battles begin."}

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_{"From a very young age, warmis are included in the festivities; the continuation of the tradition depends on the youth."}

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_{"Andean outfits are so stunning that even in black and white, every tiny detail stands out beautifully."}

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_{"Even as young girls, they start learning instruments. The violin is essential; it arrived during the colonial era and became a permanent part of our culture."}

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_{"The entrepreneurial spirit is always present. You can see the Mamichas selling cigarettes and beer, carrying them in their llicllas to save up for the next celebration."}

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_{"They carry chicha de jora in those jars—a traditional fermented corn drink from the time of the Incas. They walk through the crowd, serving anyone who wants a taste."}

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_{"In this traditional dance, they use hondas with metal bottle caps attached, which function as makeshift tambourines to provide rhythm."}

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_{"Age doesn't matter when it comes to Takanakuy. From little ones to the 'mamis' and grandmothers, everyone joins the party. This is Takanakuy, a tradition that spans generations."}

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_{"We ended the day with a smile and the satisfaction of spending the festivities in harmony."}

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Thanks for being part of this ongoing #MonoMad Challenge adventure! This is my entry for the #Monomad Challenge, hosted by @monochromes and @brumest

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Technical Details 📸

Detail	Information
Photographer	@cabzphoto
Camera	Sony A7III
Lens	Sigma art 24mm-70mm f/2.8
Location	Cusco, Perú
Editing	Lightroom