Félix López Reyes has spent a large part of his life guarding the 35 hectares that he owns half way up El Gallo in the mountainous border region between Lambayeque and Piura, 2500 metres above sea level and 8 hours walk from El Sauce in the district of Cañaris in the province of Ferreñafe. However, it wasn’t until very recently that he realised that on his property was something more valuable to guard than his coffee beans and cows. Here a discovery has been made that may help us learn more about the Cañaris people.
Category: "News"
Ñain An sculptures: New secrets revealed at ancient Chan Chan
The discovery of 17 wooden statues at Chan Chan are enough to change our understanding of the Chan Chan urban centre. Embedded in the walls of the later Ñain An complex, also known as Bandelier, the figures are thought to have bid farewell to the deceased leaders.
Lima’s Fog Nets, catching water for the city’s poor [Featured]
They look like huge abandoned volleyball nets facing west towards the Pacific Ocean on one of the many hillsides in the Peruvian capital, Lima. They started as an experiment two years ago and now they are giving a lifeline to some of Lima’s poorest residents.
The Peruvian capital gets an average of just over 40mm (1.5 inches) of rainfall a year but what it does not get in showers, it makes up for in fog.
Poachers return to the southern Andes killing thousands of vicuñas
The silent massacres continue as fur poachers return to the southern Andes. Without mercy they kill and skin the endangered animals for their fur to smuggle to Argentina for sale on international markets. Lack of government protection of wilderness reserves leave locals without help.
Arturo “Zambo” Cavero (1940-2009)
One of Peru’s greats, the embodiment of Peruvianism and the creole culture of Peru’s coastal regions, passed away today as a result of poor general health. The loss of this one man that became a symbol of Peruvian identity will be felt deeply across Peru and especially on the coast, but also across Latin American and the world. His inimitable voice captivated his listeners in a way that few other artists have ever been able to do, somehow making every word his sang sound unmistakeably and unequivocally PERUANO.
Train to Machu Picchu-Aguas Calientes, new operators, what you need to know
There were only two ways to get to Machu Picchu – hiking the tracks from Santa Teresa (cheap) or catching an overpriced train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo. Now that Perú Rail’s monopoly has come to an end, there are two further options to get to the Inca Citadel.
Peruvian Paso horses set off on journey to Lima
Known as one of the world’s finest breeds of horses, the Peruvian Paso Horse (Caballos Peruano de Paso) is a symbol of pride for Peru. Bred carefully over centuries, its unique gait makes it the most comfortable horse there is to ride and beautiful to watch. And it needs to be comfortable for the long journey ahead for a group of aficionados setting off from Ica.
Civil war threatens to break out in the Andean region of Puno
Civil war threatens to break out between two districts in rural Puno after the recent deaths of 1o people and many more injured in the community of Chacayaje in the district of Ituata.
Peruvian gastronomy could become world cultural heritage
Thanks to its extreme biodiversity and the history of cultural mixing, Peru’s cuisine is increasingly considered one of the world’s greats. It is for this reason that the government has unveiled plans to make the country’s gastronomy an item of World Heritage in the “culture” category.
Ancient pre-Incan city discovered high above the Zaña river
Located between the Peruvian regions of Lambayeque and Cajamarca, the ancient site, according to famed archaeologist Walter Alva, appears to be shrouded in vegetation.
Peruvian archaeologist Walter Alva, the man who has made some of the most prominent archaeological discoveries in the past decades such as the world-headlining remains of the Lord of Sipán, has received word of an exciting new discovery in the mountains of the same region.
The Great River Amazon Raft Race 2009 [Featured]
The Amazon Rafting Club, based in Iquitos, Peru, invites rafters, canoeists, rowers, paddlers and adventurers from all over the world to compete in this year’s event. The 3 day race will start in the town of Nauta on Friday, 25th September 2009, and finish in the City of Iquitos on Sunday, 27th September 2009.
Housewives restore walls of ancient Chan Chan
The ancient capital of the Chimor Kingdom, the grand city of Chan Chan, has been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons. After 500 years of abandonment in the desert outside Trujillo, it has been damaged by 500 yearly rains that have washed away large parts of the walls of the adobe city. Restoration has been under way for years, but with limited resources it is a slow process. The site needs all the help it can get to avoid deteriorating more – that’s where the housewives come in.