To the south of the valley of Cusco, is the Wanakawri or Huanacaure mountain, this huaca in the same way that Saqsaywaman are representative axes of the sacred geography of the city.
For the Mestro Alejandro Apaza this mountain is like the father of Cusco with direct relation to the Hanan Pacha (high world).
And it is not for less in time of the Incas the Hunacaure had a telluric component in addition to keeping close relationship with the Inti, sun (Ziólkowski, 2015).
At the same time, it also connected with the Rainbow and Amaru (a sacred term for the snake), in other words, the thunder as both progenitor and intermediary (Ziólkowski, 2015).
Huanacaure: The First Waka Inka and Sacred Mythical Origin
According to studies, the Huanacaure was the first Waka Inka in the Cusco region being the first site of worship that would later open space for the other wakas.
The myths related to this place indicate that one of the brothers of the first Inka, Ayar Uchu, transformed into stone to create an object of worship for his descendants, allowing communication with his father the Sun (Ziólkowski, 2015).
Another myth is related as the first settlement of the founders of Cusco coming from Paqareqthanpu (Paucartambo). According to Juan Santa Cruz Pachacuti this place would be the origin of other mythical wakas as Pitusiray and Sawasiray (Pachacuti,1613).
The same stone that transformed Ayar Uchu into a Wanka (medium monolith) was transported during wars and rituals, reaching as far as Quito. With the arrival of the Spanish, they destroyed this divinity (Zecenarro, 2003).
Currently, roads, aqueducts, terraces, and dams cover its slopes. The relationship between the Huanacaure and Cusco is also visible, with alignments between them, such as Avenida El Sol, which extends toward the mountain, and the Saphi River.
Author: Joan De la colina Roman
References:
- Ziólkowski, M. S. (2015). Pachap Vnancha: El calendario metropolitano del estado inca (1ra edición). PTSL ; Ediciones El Lector.
- Zecerrano,German(2003) Apus tutelares y asentamientos del Cusco Preinca
Pachacuti Yamqui Salcamayhua J. de Santa Cruz(1993) Relacion de antiguedades deste reyno del Piru (estudio etnohistorico de P.Duvoils y C.Itier)
