Description

Vol. V No. 6-7 … The Cover: The conquest of Peru by the early Spanish explorers was never a cultural conquest. Around the mountain cities of Cuzco and Arequipa, the former great cities of Inca Civilization. There are even today reminders of the old days. The language of the people here is still the traditional Quechua which their ancestor spoke. The costumes of the people are also part of the heritage from the past. They may seem quaint and picturesque. But every detail serves a purpose. Nothing but a wide-brimmed wool hat could be sufficient to protect one from the sunlight of the clear sub-equatorial altitudes. The scarves the women wear serve to keep out the cold. But can be quickly adapted to cradle an infant or to carry a load of wares for market. The frisking donkey colts soon become beasts of burden for the burro is still unsurpassed for carrying loads over the mountain trails.