Fiesta in Cusco
At nine in the morning the sun lights up the brilliant colors. Suddenly the Sapan lnka Apu Tayta, son of the sun, appears. From the Qoricancha, he invites the people to take part of the ceremony that will end nine hours later on the esplanade of Saccsayhuaman.

The Inca is carried on a litter by his bearers to the Plaza de Armas of the city. A hundred musicians blow lustily on their conch horns announcing the arrival. With them, the people come down bearing banners. A short distance apart a group of women sweep away the evil spirits with barnches of "cedroncillo". Some thirty Nust'akunas scatter the streets with flowers of yellow broom (planta genesta). A like number carry wicker baskets of of fruit, edible tubers, idols and amulets of gold. All advance dancing in sets of four. The harsh sound of the pututo conch, the sweet quena, and the grave drum.

In the Plaza de Armas the Inca descends from his litter and goes onto the altar called Usnu. From there, in a symbolic act, he invites the city mayor to work together for the prosperity of the people. Then the dancers burst into view in beautifull choreographies. The group of actors takes the steep way to the fortress of Saccsayhuaman.

Saccsayhuaman is packed. Copper colored skins mingle with the pale complexions of tourists. The "mamachas" (local matrons) sells roast pork -and there´s no room for cholera. Chicha morada (soft drink of purple corn) for the abstemious, and chicha de jora to form part of the celebrations.

The Inca arrives at the imposing ruins. The public hastily finishes its last mouthfuls: these are the ones who have paid for admission so as to be able to be seated at a prudent distance from the natural stage.

The Inca ascends to the Usnu, and with him his court: his son Auki, the high priest Willaq Uma, minister Kallpa Rikuq, the four Wamink'a, four Amaut'akuna, (scientists), six heroes called Chakurikuna, and two temple guards - the Kamani.

When the two dozen actors found their places, the Inca rises. Lifting his arms towards the sun, he entones, always in Quechua, a hymn that could be translated as: "Powerful sun of eternal happiness, warm source, beginning of life, almighty father of all that is created..."