Long ago, when the Inca Empire was still in its infancy, the great creator god Viracocha chose the tallest mountains as sacred homes for spirits that embodied the power of the father, represented by the mountains, and the mother, represented by the earth. The Apu, including Ausangate, Salkantay, and Huandoy, were not merely mountains; they were living gods. People believed that their snowy peaks were the silver hair of these spirits, and that melting glaciers and flowing streams were the sweet milk they offered to nourish life in the valleys below.
The Apu served as powerful protectors and wielded magical forces. When fierce storms or devastating droughts threatened villages, shamans would climb the peaks to pray. If the people’s hearts were pure, the Apu would respond by blowing away dark clouds or opening hidden underground springs to restore water to the land. The Apu also punished those who were greedy or disrespectful. Tales tell of treasure hunters who insulted the mountains being trapped in endless caves or lost forever in the eternal mist, a reminder that arrogance and disrespect against nature brought dire consequences.
To maintain a harmonious relationship with these mountain spirits, the people of Peru performed the Despacho ceremony, offering gifts to the mountains. They prepared colorful woven cloths and placed on them the finest coca leaves, corn kernels, dried flowers, and incense. Each coca leaf was carefully breathed upon in a ritual called Phukuy, transferring the prayers of the people to the mountain spirits. The offerings were then burned, sending their smoke to the highest peaks, carrying prayers for protection, fertility, and abundance.
The legends of the Apu emphasize a sacred connection between humans and nature. The Inca philosophy of Ayni, or reciprocity, teaches that if humans protect the mountains, the mountains will protect them. If people harm the earth, the spirits withdraw their protection. Peruvians never climb a mountain without asking permission, treating the peaks as Abuelos, or grandfathers, who listen to the whispers of the wind and understand the suffering of every branch, tree, and blade of grass.
These traditions carry important lessons for life. Humility is taught by the towering peaks, reminding humans of their smallness and the importance of living in harmony. Environmental responsibility is reinforced, as the Apu act as guardians of water and forests. Finally, community spirit is strengthened, because the ceremonies often involve the entire village, binding the people together while honoring the sacred power of the mountains.