Las Bambas honoured the tradition of T’ikapallana, observing and celebrating the culture and customs of the communities of Cotabambas in a tribute to the Pachamama or Mother Earth.

In addition to an elegant and colourful parade of horses and their riders on top of the Cotabambina plains, a delegation dressed in provincial costumes.

“Our goal is to acknowledge and celebrate the cultural expressions of Cotabambas. Our delegation shared the joy of T’ikapallana, together with the province’s local community,”  said Edwin Amoretti, representing Las Bambas.

T’ikapallana is one of the most important cultural festivals in the province of Cotabambas. Highlights include the collection of surphuy and waqanqi flowers, which adorn the hats of single men and women from the region, and the gathering of participants in Mama Porotopampa (the carnival grounds) for qhaswas (traditional carnival dances) and to show off their horses.

T’ikapallana carnival dances

In recognition of Las Bambas’ high regard for promoting and respecting the traditional expressions of Cotabambas and Apurímac communities, the mine annually sponsors a unique annual dance contest – the Inter-Regional Dance Competition and the XI Meeting of Dances.

The provincial and regional competition of carnival dances have become one of the most important Cotabambas cultural expressions thanks to the originality, joy and colour in the pasacalle, qhaswas, and dances of its six districts: Haquira, Mara, Challhuahuacho, Tambobamba, Cotabambas, and Coyllurqui.

Local authorities appreciated the support of Las Bambas for promoting Cotabambas’ ancestral culture.

“We thank Las Bambas for joining us in this cultural meeting and for sponsoring this important community event,” said Rildo Guillén, Mayor of Cotabambas.