El Cóndor y el Toro en los Andes

Overview

The confrontation between the condor and the bull occurred primarily in the southern Andes: Apurímac, Ayacucho, and parts of Huancavelica—that is, Chanca lands, known for their inherent rebelliousness. Later, it spread to Cusco, Arequipa, and Puno. Bullfights were mainly held by peasants or indigenous communities, where the bull was never killed, and great care was taken with the condor. To some extent, the condor symbolizes the Andean world; it is a deity of the Apus (mountain spirits) and a messenger, while the bull is foreign. Ultimately, as a result of acculturation, the bull, incorporated into Andean culture, now receives all due respect, as a member of the family. As in other events, the blood spilled in the ring is considered an "offering" to the earth; the dead and wounded are not mourned much, but rather are part of the many rituals throughout the year.