63 The Child of Lake Titicaca
El niño del lago Titicaca
Lake Titicaca |
Peru
Spanish
Behind the scenes
Lake Titicaca, perched at more than 3,800 meters above sea level in the Andes, has long been surrounded by stories and legends. As I explored these landscapes and the traditions that accompany them, I felt the desire to imagine a story of my own, like those told to children by the water’s edge or around a fire.
This text was born from that wish to spark imagination, in the spirit of childhood tales. I created the character of Enrique, along with his medallion and his pan flute, drawing inspiration from the Andean world, from quipus, and from the animated series The Mysterious Cities of Gold.
Behind this legend lies a question that fascinates me: does time really flow in the same way for all of us?
Echoes of the world
In the Andes, Spanish is widely spoken today, but it still coexists with several ancient languages, particularly Quechua and Aymara, inherited from great Andean civilizations. This coexistence influences how Spanish is spoken in these regions: its rhythm can feel more regular, its vowels very clear, giving the language a distinctive musical quality.
Some words in the text come directly from this Andean world. Quipus, from the Quechua word khipu (“knot”), were used by the Incas to record information and narratives using knotted cords.
The zampoña, a traditional Andean pan flute, has long accompanied the music of the Altiplano.
Even the name Titicaca likely comes from Quechua or Aymara.
And you, are there places that make you want to invent your own legends?
To reflect and capture your thoughts, turn to the dedicated pages in the book.
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