The Road to Qollor’Ity

Qoyllor’ Ity (Quechua for ‘bright white snow’), is the annual Andean winter solstice celebration to honor of the stars and constellations in hopes of a prosperous harvest and New Year. The festival includes a procession to the Qoyllor’ Ity shrine under the full moon, comprised of Andean farmers and villagers, locals from Cusco, and multiple groups of musicians and dance troupes, like the well-known Paucartambo and Quispiscanchis, from the rural highlands. As the sun rises, revelers kneel to receive the first rays of the sun after this auspicious moon.