We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is Kindness Across Cultures: Stories to Prove We Care. Each post highlights present-day and folktale examples.
Peru is entwined with the modern world amongst the majesty of Incan ruins. The colors blend together with such brightness that are comparable to the brightness of the smiles of the people there. This picture of a young man-beaming-was taken by Steve Evans. He has granted permission for Story Crossroads to use this image.
Present-Day Peacefulness & Patience
A photographer named Lauren Randolph traveled to Peru and went out of his comfort zone and took pictures of people who were not part of his travel group. He and the Peruvians exchanged simple kindnesses from giving local tips to sharing smiles and giggles. There are always the huge disasters and the emergencies that bring forth kindness though I am most impressed by the small and simple. Enjoy this article full of pictures of kind Peruvians: http://www.contiki.com/six-two/lauren-randolph-photographer-kindness-strangers/.
Past Peacefulness & Patience (Folktale)
This Peruvian creation story of the Inca Empire is usually called “The Legend of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo.”
A few other versions are available here:
- https://latinfolktales.wordpress.com/category/peruvian-folk-tales/
- https://www.machupicchu.org/the_legend_of_manco_capac_and_mama_ocllo.htm
- http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view_print.php?book=25419
- https://www.clothroads.com/product/beyond-the-stones-of-machu-picchu-folk-tales-and-stories-of-inca-life-2/ – book, collection of Peruvian tales called “Beyond the Stones of Machu Picchu: Folk Tales and Stories of Inca Life” by Elizabeth Conrad VanBuskirk, published by Thrums Books
A few other versions are available here:
The Sun God, Wiraocha, saw that the people on earth were uncivilized and lacked skills to be a peaceful and kind society. The people also walked around naked due to not knowing how to make clothes. The Sun God sent this son and daughter, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo (who also happened to be husband and wife) down to earth. He gave Manco Capac a gold scepter and instructed him to try to sink the scepter into the ground. Where the scepter sinks would be where to lead the people to build the Inca civilization. Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo walked out from the waters of Lake Titicaca and walked all over the land to sink the scepter. Alas, each time they did, the scepter would not go down for the land was too dry. They traveled high and low and for such a length of time that they could have given up on their quest. Finally, when resting upon the Huanacaure Mountain, the scepter sunk into what later became known as Cuzco City. Manco Capac gathered the men and taught them agriculture, religion, hunt, and build homes. Mama Ocllo gathered the women and taught them to create clothes from the wool of animals, how to cook the foods of the land of both plants and animals, and how to clean and be healthy. This was the start of a great civilization.
Interesting Notes on Kindness
- The Sun God was concerned for the people on earth and wished them to live peaceful lives
- Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo listened to their father’s wishes and patiently went about the quest
- Despite taking a long time, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo continued on out of love and respect for their father
- Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo taught skills so that the people could live in harmony with each other and with nature
What stories of kindness do you know associated with Peru? Anywhere in the world – past or present? Please share in the comments…or anything on your mind.
While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings including the culminating Festival on May 23, 2018 (see schedule here: https://storycrossroads.com/2018-schedule/).
We thank our funders such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, the Western States Arts Federation, Utah Humanities, the City of Murray, the South Jordan Arts Council, Utah Valley University and many other individuals. Join us in the support by attending or donating or both! (Click here to donate or get tickets.)
When I was little I had a beautifully illustrated picture book of Inca legends, I still remember the picture for this one 🙂
The Multicolored Diary: Weird Things in Hungarian Folktales
That’s wonderful. I imagine it is a picture of the two of them emerging from the waters?