Apu Ausangate: History and mythology of the sacred mountain

What is an Apu in Andean culture?

The Apus are protective spirits of the mountains in the Andean worldview. The word “Apu” comes from Quechua and means “Lord” or “Chief.” According to pre-Incan tradition in the Andean region, the Apus watched over the inhabitants of the valleys that were nourished by waters from their peaks. For the Andean people, each mountain has its own spirit, its own name, and its own domain that it protects.

Where is Apu Ausangate located?

Ausangate is located about 84 kilometers southeast of the city of Cusco. It is the highest mountain in the Cusco department and the fifth highest in Peru, with a maximum altitude of 6,385 meters above sea level. It ranks 12th as the highest snow-capped mountain in Peru and the second highest in the Cusco region, after the Ausangate snow-capped peak.

What is the meaning of the name Ausangate?

There is speculation about the name of this snow-capped mountain. Cerrón Palomino proposes a hypothesis regarding its origin, suggesting an original form *awsa-nqa tiy meaning ‘the cave or hollow where one plays.’ The nominal root *awsa- is found in Quechua huanca, where it means “to play.”

What role does Ausangate play in Inca mythology?

In Inca mythology, this mountain and the nearby lakes—among which Sibinacocha stands out—are the source of masculine energy that fertilizes Mother Earth, Pachamama. Inca mythology asserts that in this mountain and its nearby lakes, the energy that fertilizes Mother Earth, Pachamama, originates.

The legend of the brothers Salkantay and Ausangate

It is said that Salkantay and Ausangate were brothers who lived in Cusco, and after a severe drought, they ventured into strange lands to save their people from the harsh drought. Salkantay went north and found the jungle and there the forbidden love of Verónica; meanwhile, Ausangate went south to the highlands and found abundant Andean products, sending back camelid meat, corn, potatoes, among others. This was how he managed to save the people of Cusco.

This is one of the most well-known legends explaining why these two mountains are considered protectors of the Cusco region.

What is the Qoyllur Rit’i festival?

Qoyllur Rit’i is a Peruvian religious festival that takes place on the slopes of the Ausangate snow-capped mountain in the town of Mahuayani. The festival of the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’i is the most attended religious manifestation in Cusco. It is estimated that more than 10,000 people participate in the pilgrimage to the slopes of the Ausangate snow-capped mountain located at 4,700 m above sea level.

When is Qoyllur Rit’i celebrated?

The campesino-religious pilgrimage takes place three days before the Western Corpus Christi. It generally occurs between May and June, coinciding with the full moon that illuminates the valley during the event.

History of the origin of Qoyllur Rit’i

The origin of this festival dates back to 1780 when a mestizo boy named Manuel appeared to a Quechua shepherd, Mariano Mayta, on the slopes of the Colquepunco glacier. The two formed a deep friendship, and thanks to Manuel’s presence, Mariano’s flock flourished.

When ecclesiastical authorities tried to capture Manuel, he transformed into an image of Christ crucified on a rock, and Mariano died at the site. Since then, the sacred rock bearing the image has become a pilgrimage site.

What does Qoyllur Rit’i mean?

The name Qoyllur Rit’i translates to “Star of Snow” in the Quechua language. It refers to the festival’s connection with the full moon that illuminates the valley during the event and to the snow-capped mountain that serves as a backdrop.

The Ukukus: guardians of the ritual

The ukukus, also known as pabluchas or bears, are the most popular characters and the guardians of the Lord and the Apus. They are responsible for maintaining discipline during the liturgical acts. According to legend, the Ukukus are half human, half bear.

These characters set off to the summit of the snow-capped mountain in search of the Star of Snow. Upon returning to their communities, they will carry large blocks of ice on their backs to water their lands with the sacred water of Ausangate.

Spiritual importance of Apu Ausangate

Apu Ausangate is one of the most sacred figures for Andean cultures. Located in the Vilcanota mountain range, it is the protector and provider of water for the surrounding towns. In the Andean worldview, Ausangate is considered a protective spirit that controls the climate, protects the land, and provides fertility to crops.

Rituals and offerings to Apu Ausangate

The Andean inhabitants maintain a reciprocal relationship with Apu Ausangate through various rituals:

• Payment to the Earth: Offerings of coca leaves, chicha, and food as a thank you to Pachamama and Apu Ausangate
• Fertility ceremonies: Rituals associated with the fertility of the land and the worship of the Apus
• Pilgrimages: Sacred walks to the mountain as an act of devotion

Religious syncretism in Ausangate

The Qoyllur Rit’i festival is highly syncretic, meaning that Andean cosmology and spiritual tradition coexist alongside Catholic beliefs. This fusion shows how pre-Columbian traditions adapted and integrated with Christianity.

Cultural heritage of humanity

On November 27, 2011, UNESCO inscribed the “Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’i” as part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The most important Apus of Cusco

The snow-capped mountains Ausangate (6,384 m) and Salkantay (6,271 m), being the highest in the Cusco region, were the most important and powerful in the Inca worldview. These two Apus protect the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and continue to be venerated to this day.

Enduring traditions

Beliefs in the Apus are not just ancient history. In today’s Peru, the Apus still hold a special place in the heart of Andean culture. Many communities continue to celebrate rituals and festivals in their honor, and the Apus are frequently invoked in daily life for protection and blessings.

Apu Ausangate represents the continuity of a millennia-old tradition that connects Andean communities with their natural environment and spiritual heritage.