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The Chiaraje
20th of January.
Chiaraje is a ritual place of battles that are supposed to give life to Pachamama, Mother Earth, and for the people receive her favors during the harvest.
This festival is held every 20th of January At dawn, you can hear angry shouts and songs about war. The men ride on horseback, encouraging the rest of the people to run together to the base of the hill Chiaraje. Here a ritual battle takes place that comes from the time of Túpac Amaru II. (Jose Gabriel Condor Canqui) He rebelled against the abuses of the Spaniards and is still regarded a hero. Here in the highest part of the Andes we can still find extremely traditional zones with cattle farmers and textile makers. Also, the Canas province is considered to be an area of very proud warriors.
Every 20th of January hundreds of women come to the hill Chiaraje. They wear typical clothes that are decorated with fresh flowers. They stay far away from the place where the ritual battle takes place and they prepare food and liquor to sell afterwards. The warriors wear embroidered clothes and bring catapults and whips with them. They use these weapons during the attack. In the beginning of the assault they will go down the hill while they are threatening and challenging the enemy, insulting them to destroy their honor, their manliness and pride. Together these warriors move to the front of the field to finally take the hill of the enemy and therefore become the winners.
The battle of Chiaraje is a ritual dedicated to Pachamama and therefore this affectionate battle is related with the fertility of the earth, which is why it takes place at the end of January, in the time of the rainfall. The aim of the ancient battle is to give service to the exhausted earth and the winner of the battle can expect a rich life. In the past, a death at Chiaraje was an offer to Pachamama. Therefore, the families of the warriors that died during this battle didn't cry for their lost family members.
Want to participate? join our cultural tour to the Chiaraje and the four lakes
