Q'ero People: A Look into Peruvian Mysticism
Peruvian | Carolina Alatriste
We often hear the tales surrounding indigenous South American rituals and healing methods. What we know less about are the spiritual beliefs fueling those aspects of South American culture.
One manifestation of indigenous Latin American spirituality lives high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. There resides a tribe of people called Q’ero—direct descendants of the Quechua speaking Inca people. When Conquistadors invaded Peru, in 1500, few people escaped slavery; those who did found refuge in the holy Apus Mountains, Apu being a protector spirit covering a mountain’s territory. Q’ero Inca beliefs are centered on healing and ceremonial traditions passed down generations for over 500 years, still practicing those very rituals in present-day time.
Members of Q’ero that practice healing and religion are shamans called Paqos. They are holy men or women that are capable of healing both external wounds and—most importantly—wounds of the soul. The Q’ero method of healing relies on connection between human and nature. Mother Earth, stars, and planets give Paqos healing support and helps them cleanse their aura, open inner vision, open their heart, clear genetic ancestral diseases, and build their energy field. Paqos believe soul cleansing and inner nurture are important for maintaining the seed of light, given to each person at birth. There are two paths for becoming a Paqos; being chosen as a Pampamesayoq or as an Altomesayoq, both titles carrying equal importance.
Pampamesayoq’s are also called Earth healers—dealing with reading or balancing energies, cocoa leaf readings, pulse readings, and other general physical healings. Altomesayoq’s are more rare and are a shaman chosen by the mountains. As a sign of an Altomesayoq, the soon to be will be struck by lightning three times and survive to tell the tale. Due to their selection by nature, the Altomesayoq are said to be skilled in interpreting and understanding mountain energies.
“Members of Q’ero that practice healing and religion are shamans called Paqos. They are holy men or women that are capable of healing both external wounds and—most importantly—wounds of the soul. ”
The Q’ero shamans respect and believe in nature because of their belief of being the progenies of the stars and planets. Consequently, they treat all entities of our planet with care—speaking to every rock, river, plant and animal with loving awareness.
If there is one thing to take away from Q’ero spirituality it’s that our planet is something to love and cherish, from it we can receive a deeper understanding of ourselves. You first have to understand and connect with yourself in order to understand your purpose on Earth.