Introduction
The Quechua people are indigenous to the Andean regions of South America, descendants and cultural heirs of the Inca Empire. With approximately 10 million speakers, Quechua is the most widely spoken indigenous language family in the Americas. Quechua communities maintain traditional agricultural practices including terrace farming and potato cultivation, intricate textile weaving, and spiritual practices honoring Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Andean deities.
Pachamama - Mother Earth
Quechua spirituality centers on Pachamama, the goddess of earth and fertility. Traditional Quechua communities continue to perform offerings (pagos) to Pachamama before planting crops, building homes, or undertaking journeys. This deep connection to the land reflects thousands of years of agricultural innovation in the challenging Andean environment, where Quechua people developed terraced farming and cultivated over 4,000 varieties of potatoes.
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Image Gallery
Explore visual documentation of culture, traditions, and daily life through these carefully curated images from Wikimedia Commons.
Quechua woman wearing traditional Andean clothing with distinctive woven patterns and colors
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Machu Picchu, iconic Inca citadel and UNESCO World Heritage site in the Peruvian Andes
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Traditional Quechua textile weaving demonstrating intricate patterns passed through generations
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ancient agricultural terraces in the Andes, showcasing Quechua farming innovation
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
Quechua herder with llamas in the high Andes, traditional livestock of Andean peoples
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun), major Quechua celebration honoring Inca traditions
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)