Chapter 2: The Challenges of Representation: NGOs, Education, and the State in Highland Peru

Ñawpa Machu (the ancestor-spirit), Jesus’ ally, lived on a mountain with the name of School. Jesus had killed the Inka and had decapitated Mama Pacha, and the Ñawpa, happy about their death, wanted to devour the Inka’s children. When the children passed by the mountain, looking for their mother and father, the Ñawpa said to them: “Come, come. I will tell you where your parents are.” They say that the children went happily to School. But the Ñawpa Machu wanted to eat them. “Mama Pacha does not love the Inca anymore,” he told them. “The Inca has become Jesus’ friend, and now they live together like two brothers. Look at this writing. It is said here.” At his words, the children became frightened, and ran away. From that time on, all the children must go to the schools, and like the Inka’s children, almost none of the children like the school. They run away. Where may the Inka’s children be? They say that when the oldest is a young man, he will return. That will be judgment day. But we do not know if he will be able to come back. The children, they say, must look for him.¹