Quechua is still spoken by 8 million people across the Andes, but Roxana Quispe Collantes hopes she can give it added value.
A doctoral student in Peru has made history by becoming the first person to write and defend a thesis in Quechua – the language of the Incas, which is still spoken by millions of people in the Andes.
Beginning her presentation with a traditional thanksgiving ceremony using coca leaves and the corn-made alcoholic drink chicha, she presented her study titled Yawar Para, or blood rain.
“I’ve always wanted to study in Quechua, in my original language,” she told the Observer.
Quispe Collantes grew up speaking Quechua with her parents and grandparents in the Acomayo district of Cusco.
“I hope my example will help to revalue the language again and encourage young people, especially women, to follow my path.
It has since broadcast news bulletins in Aymara and Ashaninka, Peru’s most widely spoken Amazonian language. »