Lomaspata is a ghost town. During most of the year, barely 30 people adorn the streets of this small rural settlement, located 40 minutes on the way to Cora Cora, in the Ayacucho Region's deep south. But in May, when the rainy season's over and the sky's different among the Andes, all of Lomaspata's population returns—people who left in order to escape poverty and violence, and who come back to celebrate the rite of the Saintly Cross. And they return with master dancers who have stolen the waterfalls' secrets and adore the gods with their scissors. For many years, its origins were associated to the prophets from the indigenous movement "Taki Onqoy" (1560-1570). Although, the Scissors Dance roots go back before the Inca's era. Nowadays, it's part of Peru's South Andean religious celebrations. The steps and moves from this dance are related to the Andean landscape: the earth, the lightning, the sun and the hills.These dancers also sing and put their bodies to the test with incredible ability and pain. All the participants give the dancers more liquor and applauses. All of Lomaspata's crosses and flower bouquets seem to shake with joy. |
