The
Qeswachaka hanging bridge, of Cuzco, Chile, is handwoven every year,
from a local grass called Qoya.
Located
approximately 100 km from Cuzco, Qeswachaka bridge was once part of a network
of bridges, built in the time of the Inca empire, but is now the only one of
its kind, in the world. Spanning 120 feet over the Apurimac river, at around
13,000 feet above water, Qeswachaka (also spelled Q’eswachaka or
Keswachaka) is
built using the ancient Qhapaq nan technique, used by the Inca people.
Qhapaq
nan bridges were built from grass, and were wide enough for only one person to
pass, at a time. In ancient times these bridges were constantly under
surveillance and everyone crossing them was monitored. When Pizzaro began his
march for Cuzco, Qeswachaka was destroyed, to slow his advance, but was
reconstructed, many years later.
Made
from a local herb, known as Qoya, the fibers of Qeswachaka bridge deteriorate
rapidly, and local communities have to reconstruct the bridge every year.
Around 1,000 men and women, from various Andean communities gather at
Qeswachaka bridge, every second week of June, for the rebuilding ceremony. Long
blade of Qoya grass are woven into six long cables, which are bound and secured
by eucalyptus trunks, buried at each end of the bridge.
It’s
not that building a more modern bridge would be impossible, but this is a way
for the Andean people to celebrate and honor their Inca ancestors, and keep
their centuries old traditions alive.
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