Maestra Yaku Flores at Mishahuanga during the Fiesta del Agua

Yaku Flores, daughter of Maestro Juan Flores, stands in the cold waters of the Mishahuanga lagoon, high in the Andes. An Amazonian maestra from the Asháninka tradition, she takes part in a special ceremony during the 2022 “Fiesta del Agua.” Holding a Moche pumpkin pot, she pours ocean water, brought from the coast, into the mountain lagoon, symbolizing the union of different regions and spiritual worlds. Before doing this, she sings and shakes a sonaja (Amazonian rattle) to activate the spirits. The single feather in her headband shows that she is early in her path as a healer, but already deeply connected to her role. Her actions reflect a strong respect for the link between water, land, and tradition across Peru.