Dancing the Potato
Papa Qhaswa
Noqaq sutiymi flor Vanesa Puma Pacco. Wataymi isqun. Comunidad de Paru Paru kunan. Jarawita ruamusaq titulunmi “Papa qhaswa”.
Tusu tusurispan hinaraq, chakitaqllawan urkuta phatarichin, tukuta kicharin. Papa mujuchataq chaypin wasichanta tarikun.
Papa hallmay, llanpataq aphanaykushan, lloqeman pañaman, allpataq phawarishan. Papachakunataq kusirikushan, puñunachanta yapaykuqtinku.
Urkutaq simparikushan.
Papa munayta t´ ikarimuqtin, Apu mistiyuq utillana sayarimushan. T´ika pallayniyuq qomer, punchuchawan churakuspakuy, chayta qawa qawarispa sunku kusirikun. Llakitaq chinkaripun allin wata papa niqtiku.
Añay
Dancing the Potato
My name is flor Vanesa Puma Pacco.
I am 8 years old, from the community of Paru Paru.
Today I will recite a poem entitled Dancing the Potato.
Dancing with the chakitaqlla (a foot plow) even the mountain opens up.
The potato seed finds a new little house.
Hilling the potato plants, the llampa (another agricultural tool) hurries from right to left, the soil flies from one side to the other.
The potatoes rejoice with the new blanket they are provided to sleep.
The mountain is braiding itself with colours.
When potatoes start flowering, the mountain Apu Mistiyoc stands up proudly, with the colours of the potato flowers, with his green poncho.
Looking at this landscape my heart is full of joy; and all sadness is forgotten knowing that we will have a plentiful harvest.
Thank you
Translated by Aniceto Ccoyo Ccoyo, Jessica Villacorta & Tammy Stenner
Biography of the author
Vanesa Puma Pacco was born in the community of Paru Paru (district of Pisac, Cuzco). At 7 years old, she goes to school in her community. When she comes back home, she helps her parents to graze her sheep and alpacas. While walking, she likes singing, listening to surrounding birds and admiring the landscapes of her beautiful community.