Inca Cosmology The Condor and The Llama

The Milky Way stretches across the night sky above a rock formation called The Condor, one of many surreal eroded lava rock formations in Nor / North... more

by James Brunker

Title

Inca Cosmology The Condor and The Llama

Artist

James Brunker

Medium

Photograph

Description

The Milky Way stretches across the night sky above a rock formation called The Condor, one of many surreal eroded lava rock formations in Nor / North Lipez Province in south west Bolivia. Wind erosion (aeolian or eolian processes caused by sand and gravel being blown across this barren region) over time has sculpted the lava outcrops into many bizarre shapes and forms. Lighting from a small LED panel was used to light the foreground and bring out the textures and colour in the rock.

The condor was believed to be a deity by many Andean peoples, able to communicate between what the Incas called Hanan Pacha (the heavens or Upper World, occupied by the gods and mountain spirits) and Kay Pacha (the Middle World or Earth, occupied by humans and living creatures).

The dark patch top right is the Coalsack Dark Nebula, immediately above and to the right of it is the Southern Cross. The Inca and other Andean peoples gave these dark constellations names, they called the Coalsack Yutu or the Tinamou (a type of ground partridge found in the region). The 2 bright stars below and to its left are Alpha and Beta Centauri, part of the constellation Centaurus. The Incas called these stars "The Llama's Eyes" and the long dark nebula to the left of them Urcuchillay, the Llama. The Llama is actually 2 animals, the small dark nebula below the llama's body was said to be a baby llama and the main body the mother.

Photograph © James Brunker. Reproduction, transmission or use in any form (print, website, etc) without prior written permission strictly prohibited.

Uploaded

August 28th, 2019