JRNY Photo Essay PitchThe Q’eswachaka bridge has been rebuilt annually since before Incan times. Women twist and braid ichu grass into ropes and men assemble the bridge. The river is believed to have a jealous spirit and will take one of the men if a woman enters the canyon during construction.
The Q'eswachaka Bridge is rebuilt during the dry season when the water level is low.
Newly twisted ropes are soaked to make them easier to work with. The old bridge is left to decompose in the river.
Women spend two days twisting ropes from ichu grass.
Men make the floor of the bridge with sticks.
Ichu grass is twisted into thin ropes that are then braided.
Before the bridge is built the women spend days gathering wild ichu grass at high altitude.
The whole community comes together to rebuilt the bridge.
After the main ropes are pulled across men begin to build the sides.
The sides are built before the floor is added.
Crossing the bridge before its built is treacherous.