Location:
Cusco
Date: January 01
At
the start of every year, the elders of each community in
the area (the yayas) come together to designate the candidates
who are to become the highest authorities of their villages:
the Varayocs.
In
a festival that features gallons of chicha (maize beer)
and llonque (sugarcane alcohol), the mayor or Varayoc receives
the scepter or vara that symbolizes his power. This pre-Hispanic
custom has been glossed over with Occidental formalities.
The
varas are crafted from local wood varieties such as chonta
palm, black hualtaco, huallacán or membrillo, measure
around a meter in length and are inlaid with gold and silver
(Cusco's Town Hall features a small museum that exhibits
some superb examples). When a Varayoc steps down from his
post, he ceases to hold any post in his community ever again,
and becomes one of the venerable elders.
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