Yusna

Last week people all over the Cusco region celebrated “Yusna”. The tree you see pictured above was not there until last week. It was cut down and planted (again) just so it could be cut down (again). Yusna is a tradition where couples play traditional Peruvian music (waino) and dance around the tree. Each couple gets to hack away at the tree with an axe. While the couples hack away at the tree the children fight for the “gifts” that fall out of it. (The tree above has different size bowls in it). The couple that finally topples the tree gets the honour of getting the tree next year!