Corpus Christi procession in the village of Andahuaylillas, 1932

This photograph captures a moment in the Corpus Christi procession of 1932 in the village of Andahuaylillas, not far from Cusco.
In the centre of the procession advances a robed statue of the Madonna and Child. In the background are two other figures carried on the shoulders: a bearded saint wearing a hat and a saint wearing a large white cloak, which may be the Virgin Mary. The celebration as it takes place today in Cusco involves a procession of the dedicatory saints of each church in the city, who go to pay their respects to Christ - in the form of the consecrated host - in the main church. The procession of the three saints of Andahuaylillas probably has a similar nature.
Leading the way, in front of the priest, are four figures with their faces covered by knitted masks (waq'ollo) who hold strips of fabric in their hands (in all probability slingshots or warakas) and appear to be engaged in a dance. The man on the back also sports a long animal hair tail, and can be seen holding a fur mask with horns. The masks and whips of the four are reminiscent of the Qhapaq Qolla type that is still found today in the Corpus Christi celebrations in Cusco and the pilgrimage to Qoyllurit'i. However, the Qhapaq Qolla (literally 'rich inhabitant of the south-eastern highlands') - traditionally also wear llama skins and highly decorated clothing and hats, which are not found in these costumes. On the other hand, the use of warakas and a wool mask covering the face is also central to the K'achampa dance, also practised during Corpus Christi in Cusco.
Finally, it should be noted that along with the four men, there is also a child, who wears a headdress decorated with feathers and a kind of mask-becker: he may represent a bird. The association with the animal elements of the man on his back, which are consistent with those of a bull, suggests on the one hand the Peruvian ritual of the fight between condor and bull, and on the other hand the ordinary use of warakas, which in the pastoral context are used to keep the condors away from livestock.
To the sides of these performers, some musicians play straight flutes and drums (instruments already in pre-Hispanic use). Finally, the faithful, both bourgeois and peasants, crowd behind them. The Corpus Christi festivity is also particularly heartfelt because since colonial times it has overlapped with local religious traditions, in particular the Inca celebration of the solstice, the Inti Raymi or 'festival of the sun', partially absorbing them.