1. The Wilancha is a celebration in honour of Pachamama - Mother Earth. The celebration is marked with the sacrifice of alpacas and the offering of blood. CUZCO, PERÚ

2. Two alpacas - male and female - the guests of honour.

3. Two paqos - Quechua shaman - play music for the alpacas.

4. The paqo and his ñustas - "princesses" - begin the ceremony by making offerings to Pachamama - Mother Earth. Offerings include food, drink and miniatures of everyday objects. The offerings are set on fire and travel to the spirit world in the form of smoke. This opens the channels of communication.

5. The paqo and Quechua tricksters pour pisco - a local liquour - down the throats of the alpaca to calm them. In a few minutes, the alpaca gently lay down.

6. The paqo cuts the throat of the alpaca and the ñusta collects the blood in a ceremonial cup. The alpaca is a prized sacrificial animal because it dies in silence and without struggle.

7. The paqo cuts the throat of the second alpaca and the ñusta collects the blood in another ceremonial cup. The paqo pulls a tuft of fur from the dead animal and saturates it with blood. The paqo then approaches me and paints the blood from mid-forehead to the tip of my nose, and across my cheeks. This is an act of purification.

8. The animals are skinned and butchered for cooking.

9. The meat is cooked and eaten by everyone present - completing the sacrifical rites.

10. Fabio Paiva fabiopaiva55@yahoo.com.br