TITLE: Q'eres |The Last of the Incas
The Q'ero people are the last direct descendants of the Inca, who live in one of the most remote places in the Peruvian Andes, rugged elevations of snowcapped mountains. According to the Vanishing Cultures Foundation Inc, six major Q'ero villages are home to about 600 people and 6000 llamas & alpacas.
The Q'ero practice mutual reciprocity to achieve life in balance with nature and community and respect for all living things. The Q'ero people are well known for practicing mysticism and passing on ancient knowledge by preserving their cultural identity through oral traditions. Although the Q'ero does not practice any particular religion, they are highly spiritual and live in harmony with Mother Earth or "Pachamama." Small chortan-like structures with offerings for Pachamama mark mountain passages between villages.
Q'ero people's lives are Earth-centric and revolve around farming potatoes and mazes, rearing alpacas, and weaving wool. The unique Inca-like patterns characterize their master weaving style. Grass thatched roofs cover the huts built with stone and earth, preserving the traditional way of life of the Q'eres people.
AUTHOR: Aga Szydlik (United States)
Aga is a documentary photographer based in the USA, and her work focuses mainly on documentary photojournalism, conservation, exploration of heritage sites, indigenous tribes, and rituals. She actively supports human rights and conservation efforts.
Aga’s professional journey begun with fight photography during the time she lived in Thailand. Muay Thai was one of her many passions, and when she was presented with the opportunity to cover Muay Thai fights, she didn’t think twice about it and had the best time of her life doing it. Aga traveled extensively during her life in SE Asia, had many adventures, and met many fascinating people. Eventually, a few years later, her journey took her to Indonesia and South Africa. Aga’s passion for photography and travel is shared with her passion for science, as she spends most of her time trying to cure people and the planet.
Aga actively supports human rights movements, environmental protection, and various conservation efforts. Aga’s assignments involve both freelance work and collaborations with various NGOs. She aims to portray people she photographs in the most powerful and meaningful way she can achieve while making a difference in the communities she works with.
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