“By holding on to the main axis of where we come from we'll understand this modern world and globalization.”
Nivardo Carillo Guttierez (nee-vahr-doe kah-ree-yo ggee-terr-rez), artist, reenactor
“We Quechua people live far from the state. For us, the state is another nation. They have never come to our communities to ask how things work. We have even built the schools ourselves.”
María Sumire (mah-ree-yah soo-mee-ray), language defender, legislator
“The spirituality of our Inca ancestors lives in our way of life. In the way that we remember where we come from in order to have a stronger presence in this world.”
Puma Quispe Singona (poo-mah kees-pay sing-oh-nah), healer, spiritual leader
“We are returning to the old systems—ayni, family, agriculture. As there is no economic movement, this is how we are living.”
Rocío Cjuiro Mescco (roh-see-yoh kweer-oh mess-koh), water protector, activist, guide
“My grandmothers speak Quechua—my family passed their roots onto me…This is where my social responsibility to protect, value, respect, and love Quechua as well as our ancestors was born.”
Renata Flores Rivera (ray-nah-tah flaw-rayz ree-veh-rah), singer, language preservationist
“For us, the bridge is the soul and spirit of our Inca (ancestors) that touches & caresses us like the wind. If we stop preserving it, it would be like if we die"
Victoriano Arisapana (veek-tore-ee-ah-no ah-ree-sah-pah-nah), chakacamayoc (bridge master)
“Share the richness of the culture, of your community … concentrating your memory in that celebration.”
Nilda Callanaupa Alvarez (neel-dah kahl-lahn-ahl-pah ahl-varh-rez), founder Traditional Textiles Center
“We children have inherited an ancient culture which understands that everything is interrelated, that nothing is divided and nothing is outside.”
David Choquehuanca (dah-veed choke-ay-wahn-kah), vice-president Bolivia