Introduction

Abstract

El Condor Pasa—this melody brought an exotic Andean flair to homes and discos across the world in the 1970s. In the Andean countries, though, the condor has a very specific meaning. This impressive bird has already been honoured in early civilizations and has been portrayed in numerous rock paintings and other pictures, even in the huge geoglyphs of the Peruvian coastal desert. As the king of the sky, the condor is a symbol of pride and freedom, and is therefore an epitome for the aspirations of Andean people. But the societies of the Andes have witnessed 300 years of colonial history and since their political independence many forms of external economic domination. Whenever an Indio looks up at a passing condor, he may dream of a future that brings him a future of self-esteem and freedom (Fig. 1.1).