Ukukus lift the cross that they have carried up the mountain as they show reverence to the Sinakara Glacier. Ukukus are mythical beings that are part man and part bear. They are protectors of the glaciers and of Quechua traditions. Only they are permitted to approach the Sinakara Glacier during the celebration of Qoyllur Rit'i. Historically, pieces of the glacier were collected and carried down the mountain to local communities, with the meltwater utilized for its renowned healing properties. However, access to the glacier is now restricted, with only the Ukukus permitted to approach or touch it. This decision reflects a self-imposed measure taken in response to the glacier's rapid retreat over recent decades. As a result, the glaciers that pilgrims come to give their reverence, may soon vanish entirely.

As the first light of dawn approaches, the Ukukus, mythical beings that are part man and part bear, gather beneath the glacier during the Qoyllur Rit’i religious celebrations. The glaciers are deemed sacred and seen as holy entities that nourish the people of the Andes with their precious meltwater.

With the first light of day illuminating the Sinkara Valley, the mythical Ukukus—creatures that are part man, part bear—begin their descent from the icy heights above, making their way to the waiting pilgrims below. Adorned in striking red, the Ukukus create the illusion of a blood-red river winding through the valley.

A Paqo, the High Andean Priest, guides the procession of Ukukus as they descend from the glacier, bearing the cross for the eager pilgrims waiting below.

Justo Ruiz harvests a species of grass called Qoya from the fields near his home in Huinchiri. This grass will be carefully transformed into rope by hand, a task that every community member participates in for the yearly reconstruction of the Q’eswachaka Bridge. This iconic rope bridge has been rebuilt annually by local communities since the Inca era. The tradition of rebuilding the bridge not only strengthens the ties among the communities but also preserves their cultural heritage and ensures that the skills of bridge-building are passed down through generations.

A sickle is used to harvest the Qoya grass. After soaking the grass in water, it is manually beaten with a stone, which increases its malleability. The softened grass is then twisted together to form ropes by hand. The sickle serves as a powerful emblem linked to the agricultural labourers and peasants of the Andes Mountains, who engage in a communal practice of reciprocity called Ayni.

Men hoist on freshly made ropes made of Coya, a local grass, as they rebuild the Q'eswachaka Bridge over the Apurimac River which they have done every year since the time of the Incas.

In the 16th century, as the Spanish Conquistadors advanced through the Andes Mountains, the Incas retreated to the rugged canyons to make their last stand. In a final effort to halt the Spanish advance, the Incas burned the rope bridges that spanned the Apurimac River. Every year since then the rope bridge of Q’eswachaka has been rebuilt. Community members harvest Qoya grass and fashion rope from it by hand. All the rope is gathered and braided into large cable ropes to build the bridge. This tradition helps maintain the knowledge for future generations and keeps their culture strong.

Community members enter a small church to pray before the festivities of Takanakuy begin. In the Andes Mountains of Peru, every celebration, including this unique fighting festival, is intertwined with spirituality that is syncretic in nature, combining Andean traditions with Catholic rituals.

In a small chapel, women gather to dance and sing their prayers, preparing themselves for the traditional Takanakuy festivity, a term from the Quechua language that translates to “to hit one another."

During the spirited Takanakuy festivities, people from all over Chumbivilcas unite in celebration. Men don striking outfits designed to instil fear, while women showcase the region's traditional garments. Participants gather in a circle, where fighters confront one another to settle disputes and showcase their bravery and strength.

The atmosphere can become quite intense during the Takanakuy fights, and it's up to the ringleader to maintain order among the spectators. While it may appear chaotic, there are specific rules and a code of conduct that participants are expected to follow.

Traditionally, the fighting at Takanakuy was an exclusively male affair. Yet, in recent times, women have begun to step into the ring, eager to participate in the battles and showcase their combat skills.

Masked men in traditions such as Takanakuy and religious festivities like Qoyllur Rit'i act as guardians of communities, culture, and the land.

A woman, accompanied by her dogs, keeps watch of her herd near Lake Sibinicocha in the Andes of Peru. At an altitude of about 5,000 meters (17,000 feet), the inhabitants depend on herding llamas, alpacas, and sheep for crucial needs like wool, meat, and trade, as well as their droppings, since options are limited in these harsh conditions. They also rely on the meltwater from the nearby glaciers to sustain both their livelihoods and their herds. As these glaciers rapidly recede due to our changing climate, the future of the people of the Andes and their culture faces an uncertain future.

The inhabitants of the communities located at the foot of Ausangate Mountain depend on herding alpacas, while the alpacas depend on the high-altitude wetlands created by glacier meltwater and precipitation. These wetlands, referred to as bofedales, are peat-forming wetlands found in the Andes Mountains, mainly in Peru. They are characterized by their unique plant species, ability to retain water, and vital function in sustaining local ecosystems and communities.

Community members from Phinaya restrain a vicuña as they prepare to shear it. Chaku is an ancestral Incan and pre-Incan cultural ritual and practice in the Andes where communities gather to round up and shear wild vicuñas for their extremely valuable wool, after which the animals are released back into the wild. The practice serves to sustainably harvest the wool, benefit local communities, and celebrate a tradition that was once forbidden for anyone but Incan royalty.

Paqo Marta leads a ceremony duriing Día de Pachamama (Mother Earth Day) held on August 1st each year. Paqos are spiritual practitioners who serve Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (sacred spirits of the mountains). They are tasked with maintaining a balance between the physical and spiritual realms. Paqos are also healers and are entrusted with cultivating harmony in the community.

During a offering ceremony, the High Andean priests, lay out coca leaves, corn, eggs, and llama tallow on a stone altar. They oversee the rebuilding process while making offerings to the Apus, the mountain spirits, and Pachamama, the Earth Mother, seeking blessings for the bridge and prosperity for the community.

On August 1st ceremonial offerings are made to Pachamama (the Earth Mother) as a sign of reverence and to show gratitude for all that she has given. The Andean worldview holds a deep belief in reciprocity, known as Ayni in Quechua. The gifts given by the Earth need to be reciprocated in kind. Día de Pachamama is the day people collectively give thanks and honour her.

A matador faces off with a bull in Cotabambas, Peru during Yawar Fiesta or Blood Festival. This rodeo-like event holds deep cultural significance, as it historically featured a dramatic contest between a condor and a bull—an emblematic representation of the Andean people, often viewed as a symbol of their struggle against Spanish domination. While the actual spectacle of such contests is now prohibited, the potent symbolism endures, reflecting the ongoing quest for cultural identity and justice among the people.

The horns and skullcap of a bull are adorned with coca leaves and gently sprinkled with beer, symbolizing a deep reverence for the animal that has been sacrificed during the Yawar Fiesta. While the bull is emblematic of the Spanish rulers' historical dominance over the Andean people, it also commands immense respect for its powerful presence and significance within the culture.

During Yawar Fiesta in Cotabambas, Peru, a solemn yet meaningful ritual unfolds as a pregnant cow is sacrificed. The unborn calf, a male, is carefully prepared for a respectful burial and ceremony. For the people of the Andes, this occurrence is interpreted as a positive omen, embodying hope and significance within their cultural practices.

Combatants from the province of Canas traverse the altiplano (high plain) to meet their adversaries from the neighbouring province of Chumbivilcas, where they will partake in an ancient battle. The battle takes place annually below Mount Toqto, which straddles the border of the two provinces. Traditionally, the battle was for the right to farm and graze the disputed land, but it has evolved to keep the men hardened and battle-ready

A combatant calls out across the vast altiplano, or high plains, of southern Peru, challenging opponents from across the valley during the time-honored battle of Toqto. This traditional confrontation sees adversaries engaging in close combat, employing a variety of weapons, most notably the hauraca—a type of slingshot designed for hurling rocks with impressive accuracy and force. Additionally, combatants wield whips adorned with heavy metal tips, intended not only to strike fear into their enemies but also to maximize damage. The objective of the battle is to drive the opposing side from the territory and assert one’s claim over the land. This ancient tradition has endured for centuries, tracing its roots back to the legendary leader Tupac Amaru, who guided his followers in resistance against Spanish colonization. Today, this ritual continues to thrive, allowing young men to demonstrate their courage and valor while preserving a powerful symbol of resistance that resonates through generations.

Combatants in the battle of Toqto, carry a comrade from the battlefield who has been injured. Toqto and Chiaraje are both traditional battles that take place annually on the high plains in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Injuries are commonplace during the fighting, and occasionally, men die. The blood that is spilled in the fighting is seen as an offering to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth), and the sacrifice is considered an honour. The battles are commonly referred to as “the battles that fertilize the earth.”

In the community of Marcura, local men utilize a traditional tool known as the chaki taklla, or foot plough, to prepare the earth for planting native queuña trees. This initiative not only delineates the boundaries of their land but also plays a crucial role in protecting the soil from erosion.

A miner emerges from the depths of an unregulated mining tunnel after inspecting the vein his team is pursuing. As global demand for metals rises, informal and illegal mining ventures are penetrating the most isolated parts of the Andes Mountains. Both legal and illegal mining significantly affect the local communities. While some residents seek the employment and financial benefits that mining provides, others advocate for its cessation. This divide is causing tensions within the communities and altering their cultural landscape.

The Andes Mountains boast an abundance of valuable minerals such as gold, silver, copper, and lithium, making them a target for global corporations and governments. Unfortunately, this relentless pursuit of wealth results in the displacement of communities, contamination of natural resources, and a devastating impact on local cultures.

Men wielding only sticks stand firm at the entrance of their community, looking down at a lone police officer dressed in riot gear. The authorities are trying to displace the inhabitants of Tantarcalla, who have resided there for hundreds of years, to transfer the land to a single family from the adjacent hacienda that insists they are the legitimate owners.

A demonstrator from Ollantaytambo holds a copy of the Peruvian constitution as they call for amendments to it along with new elections in Peru's capital, Lima.

A Qhapaq Qolla dressed in traditional clothing dances amidst the vibrant bursts of fireworks at the Paucartambo Folk Festival with unwavering pride. He stands resolutely representing the resilience of the Indigenous Quechua people of the Andes Mountains, who have withstood the trials of colonization for hundreds of years.