It is not the rain with hail that makes the pampa tremble, nor is it the sound of dozens of weapons firing at the same time, It is the sound of rocks projected by huaracaswhich fall everywhere, giving notice that the Ritual Battle of Chiaraje has already begun in Cuscoand that hundreds of men confront each other, out of habit, for honor, for pleasure.
He Chiaraje It is one of the most fascinating and unique traditions in Peru, which stands out for its deep connection with the history and culture of the country, where every year, during the month of January, Residents of the communities of Checca and Quehue in the province of Canas, star in this ancestral ceremony that has captivated generations and that also raises many interesting points, and even perplexity, about how the man of the Andes externalizes his feelings, his traditions and his desire to celebrate life by seeking death.
This combat has its roots in ancient Inca and pre-Inca practices, where communities held ritual confrontations in order to determine the fertility of their lands and ensure a good harvest for the coming year. This symbolic confrontation represents the eternal struggle between good and evil.and is considered a method to honor and thank Pachamama, Mother Earth, seeking her favor and protection.
PREPARATIONS
The preparations for the Battle of Chiaraje They start weeks before the event. The Checa and Quehue communities organize meticulously to prepare their traditional weaponswhich include slingshots, whips and other blunt elements such as large iron nuts, steel balls and even motorcycle sprockets. The most purists cite that these last elements distort the originality of the event, however, the youngest ones prepare with everything for the fight.
“One day before we can no longer sleep, we are getting our things ready to go to Chiaraje and the emotion overcomes us, I have been coming since I was 15 years old and I am not afraid of death, if we come out alive that is fine, and if we die too, it will still be an offering for Pachamama,” quotes the young participant from Quehue, Adolfo Champi.
In addition to personal preparations, the leaders of each side are selected, who will have the responsibility of guiding their companions during the confrontation.
It is worth mentioning that There are very well organized groupswho in addition to sharing the same impetus and enthusiasm, share the same clothing, helmets and boots, all finely marked with the name of their side. This 2026, we saw ‘Los Águilas Negras’, ‘Los Corazones Ardientes’, ‘Los Guerreros Purita Sangre’, ‘Los Auténticos Qoriliwis’, ‘Los Truenos Guerridos’, among others.
WHEN THE DAY COMES
He Chiaraje dayparticipants congregate in the extensive Chiaraje pampa, located over 4,500 meters above sea level. Dressed in colorful traditional costumes and carrying their flags, they march towards the battlefield. The ceremony begins with a series of offering rituals to Pachamama, intended to ensure her protection and blessing for the event.
Before the fight, the warriors eat and drink from the food brought by their mothers, sisters or their wives, toasting with chicha de jora, beer or pure liquor, all in order to combat the intense cold of the area and to arm themselves with courage to explore the extensive pampas.
It is worth mentioning that women are not allowed to enter combatHowever, they accompany the fighters at all times, bringing them water, food and treating their occasional wounds, as he tells us. Delfina Cansayaresident of Langui: “We can’t go in because they say it brings bad luck, so we participate from outside, this year we brought lamb timpu accompanied by chuño and Andean cheese, we also sing and help the wounded, it is our part in the combat and we do it the best we can”.
THE BATTLE
The battle itself is a vibrant spectacle, full of color and energy. Combatants engage in a series of coordinated attacks, using their slings to hurl rocks at their opponents. Although the confrontation may seem dangerous, there is a code of respect and honor that all participants must strictly follow, significantly minimizing the risk of serious injury.
Both sides occupy opposite sides of the Chiaraje pampaand seek to dominate the environment when they enter combat. Usually the youngest are the first to enter the ring, hurling insults and brandishing their weapons, then the warriors on horseback enter to advance their troops or rescue the stragglers.
Previously, two rounds were ‘played’, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, however, starting in 2026, the residents report that they agreed to do just one, starting the fight at approximately noon and lasting until four or five in the afternoon.
This year the Quehue side won the contest, driving their adversaries back to their territory. At least 10 injured people were reported with stone impact injuries, multiple contusions and others with sprains in their legs and arms. It is not easy to run through a steep field, full of ichu and rocks.
CULTURAL IMPORTANCE
The Battle of Chiaraje It is much more than a simple confrontation; It is a celebration of the cultural identity of these Cusco communities. Through this ritual, community ties are strengthened and a tradition that has endured over the centuries is kept alive, reflecting the spirit and resistance of the Andean peoples.
In conversation with the warriors, they revile those who criticize this activity, calling it brutal and inhumane, stating that everyone goes to Chiaraje of their own free will, without any type of pressure or obligation, doing so out of the impulse to follow their customs, inherited through many generations.
“My dad brought me, like my grandfather brought him. Here you find camaraderie and courage, something that is not found anywhere else, of course we play with death, but it is the same on the street, you don’t know when or how you are going to die, so we prefer to take risks here, before entering we entrust ourselves to Patron Santiago and our Pachamama, if you do it with faith, nothing can happen to you”quotes Julio Rado, a community member from Yanaoca.
In short, the Ritual Battle of Chiaraje is a vibrant and exciting expression of Andean culture, an event that combines history, spirituality and community in a single act of bravery and tradition. This ritual is not only a visual spectacle, but also a living connection with the past and an affirmation of the cultural identity of the communities involved.
FIGURES:
- Approximately ten thousand people attended Chiaraje 2026, of which two thousand were combatants and the rest were family members, curious people and even tourists.
- Two deaths from stone impacts were recorded in the 2025 version of Chiaraje, this year there were no fatalities.
- Two ambulances from the Ministry of Health were waiting in the area to transport the injured to nearby hospitals. It should be noted that the presence of the Police or Public Ministry is null in the place, it is a tacit and old agreement between the communities and the law, which is respected until now.
- Two main fronts are fighting the battle, on one side ‘Los Altos’, led by the community members of Checca, along with Langui, Layo and Kunturkanki, on the other side ‘Los Bajos’, led by residents of Quehue, Yanaoca, Pampamarca and Túpac Amaru.
