Q’eswachaka (kes-wah-CHA-ka)

The Q’eswachaka Festival originated as a state scheme to localize the expenses and simplify the maintenance of Tawantinsuyu's many bridges in its continuous road network.

This obligation was pushed onto minor settlements in the mountains, who eventually made it their own.

Execution

4-day Festival

Day 1

1. Villagers gather to produce large braided ropes to replace the old bridge's floor and handrails.
   • The bridge master, and men from the nearby villages, cut down the old bridge
   • Women beat and braid small rope that are twisted further into duros until they are as thick as a human thigh
2. Four duros are attached to stone nails to cross the span and tightened by hand to create the new bridge's floor.

Day 2

1. Offerings are made to mountain spirits and Pachamama, Mother Earth, by a local healer.
2. Men continue to tighten and strengthen the makis handrail ropes.
3. Women continue beating on more grass rope for the bridge sides while children distribute food and drinks

Day 3

1. The focus is on tightening the floor and handrail ropes.
   • The master showcases his bravery by being the first to walk across the partially rebuilt bridge
   • Workers carefully attach the remaining ropes to complete the sides of the bridge
   • A series of carpets made from intertwined sticks and leaves are unfurled over the floor
   • The bridge is deemed complete and local leaders cross the bridge to pour alcohol into the earth

Day 4

1. Everyone is allowed to cross once the women march across.
2. A fire is set to ears of corn, coca leaves, alcohol and birds started on one side of the bridge.
3. The community comes together in a social gathering to sing, dance, eat and drink.

Participants

Chakaruwak

Hundreds of local villagers are expected to participate in harvesting the grass or natural fibres, twisting them into rope and constructing the actual bridge. On average, every family is expected to contribute 230 ft of rope and can be fined if they do not. It is common for the art of braiding and construction to be passed through the generations, from father to son and mother to daughter, to develop the skills in bridge building.

Observance

Inti Raymi

Every year, in the middle of the month, people from at least 4 communities coordinate and conjugate to ensure they can all visit each other across rivers and canyons.

Alternative Name

Braided Bridge Building

Rope Festival

Queshuachaca

Keshwa Chaca

Primary Related Location

Qhapaq Ñan

Related Organizations

• First Quadrant
• Fourth Quadrant
• Second Quadrant

Related Ethnicities

• Dhani
• Innoit