They say that a ‘little help’ is not too much, and better if it is asked for and received with good will. In this spirit, more in this time of crisis, many look for the ekeko, a character who is always loaded with bills, projects and good wishes. This character represented in a statuette is popular in the mythology and traditions of the Peruvian-Bolivian Altiplano,
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What characterizes the ekeko?
His representation has a human form, chubby, wear poncho and chullo, hetake a charango and zampoña, a cigar in your mouth, and carry grains or seeds and bills (mean fortune), in addition to little wings, which are wishes represented in miniature (money, house, store, car, title, trip or others).
In Peru and Bolivia the ‘Ekeko Festival’ was held yesterday, and for several years the tradition has been shared in almost all of our country, even in television spots.
In Lima is the wish fair, located in the Manco Cápac de La Victoria square, where there are representations of all sizes of this character and they assure that they have “the largest ceramic ekeko in the world’ (he measures 1.60 meters).
Celebration of a lot of tradition in the Peruvian-Bolivian highlands and for several years also in Lima. (Isabel Medina / Trome)
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What does the ekeko symbolize?
“The ekeko symbolizes abundance, fertility, prosperity, good luck, fortune and joy. Because of its festivity, yesterday we held the challado ceremony, with Peruvian and Bolivian yatiris,” said to Trome Mrs. Lydia Cortezorganizer of the fair.
How do they perform the ekeko ritual?
Mrs. Lidia explained that the ekeko they place little wishes of the year on the poncho (tickets, house, car, store, travel suitcase, property title or others) and on her colored serpentine neck.
“then they call it (they spray like a rain of champagne), they pour yellow mixture of flowers for prosperity) and end up using incense and giving chimes that invoke the apus”he detailed to Trome.
He also commented that among the most frequent desires of the public are: work, success in business, health, own home, a car, a good partner and an end to violence.
Know that:
- The ekeko is part of the Andean culture that is kept alive.
- You can buy your ekeko at the Wish Fairwhich will serve the public until Friday, January 27.
Celebration of a lot of tradition in the Peruvian-Bolivian highlands and for several years also in Lima. (Isabel Medina / Trome)
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