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Andean Shaman don Theo Paredes, Ph.D. don Theo Paredes is the founding director of Poqen Kanchay Foundation. Growing up in Cusco, he has always had contact with native people in Peru. At 11 years old, he was initiated into the traditional healing practices of his people. He has continued to work with shamanic practices for over thirty years, particularly their use of sacred plants and their practices of managing energy. In the process, he has survived two strikes by lightning which, in the Andean tradition, is considered a "call by nature" to train and practice in the Earth traditions.
Dr. Paredes has studied and practiced anthropology in Europe and The Americas, receiving a Ph.D. in his field. Over the past fifteen years through his work within the Peruvian government as Director of National Projects and the Governor of the Cusco Department and as an external consultant for IFAD (International Foundation for Agricultural Development), and currently through Poqen Kanchay, he continues to assist indigenous cultures to maintain sustainable communities.
His extensive knowledge of the myths and the life view of the societies which culminated with the Incas, combine together with Andean energy concepts, to form the perspective of a different kind of society. He approaches the archaeological sites of the Incan empire with a deep understanding of the purpose for which these energetic centers were created, passed down to him from the ancient masters. |
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Archaeologist Manuel Silva
Manuel Silva is the current conservator of the archeological park of Saqsayhuaman. Manual was born in Cusco and studied anthropology and archaeology in The University of Cusco. He was the resident archaeologist at Machu Picchu National Park and the Inca trail for five years. It was his restoration work of Inti Pata, which brought it recognition as one of the most stunning archaeological sites along the Inca Trail. Manuel is an ethno-archaeologist, combining a deep knowledge of the Andean people with the abilities to restore original sites. Through his work, he has studied with not only the native healers of the communities but with the astronomers, agriculturists, geologists and other wise members of the indigenous cultures, rebuilding the true usage of temples and agricultural sites throughout the Incan empire. |
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Pepe Arancibia is a skilled and loving guide, fluent in English, Spanish, and native Quechua. Over the past 15 years Pepe has demonstrated a deep commitment to support community based projects...most recently with the Q'ero peoples. Due to his ability to communicate with a depth that is difficult to find in people outside of the indigenous and rural communities, Pepe serves as a respected and effective bridge between the campesinos and Poqen Kanchay. Some of Pepe's recent humanitarian projects have included assistance in arranging and providing medical care and assistance to the Q'ero community as well as to their herds of alpaca. |
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Jose Quispe- Q´ero
Jose Quispe is a healer from the Q’ero community. This place is still considered one of the last ayllus that maintains all it’s purity until these days. Located in a difficult access zone in the heights of Paucartambo, this community was rediscovered for the world in the ‘50’s , showing that all it’s cultural universe and way of life are still intact like it was 500 years ago. It’s origins date from an old Inca community hidden in the heights of Cusco in order to escape from the spanish pursuit.
The Q’ero Incas isolated from the world and hid from western eyes for hundreds of years, because they were considered sinners for having other religion.
Jose Quispe comes with us in all the tours and also invites us to participate in the Land ceremonies and the Coca leaf reading.
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| Paola Swayne ( pswayne@pkcusco.org) |
She was born in Lima Peru, and graduated from Hotelier administration, also with a post grade in Rural Tourism from the Buenos Aires University in Argentina.
All her studies and background fit perfectly with the Foundation’s objectives wich are: the rescue and revaluation of the cultural aspects, the rural population integration and their resources improving their life conditions as well.
One of her main contributions is the development of differenr turistic programs in the area of Cusco, the ones that Poqen Kanchay has implemented nowadays.
The importance of her creativity and the responsibility in the social handicrafts proyection, the creation of jewelery design, different kind of clothing with beautiful art designs with craftsman from the coast, the highlands and the jungle of Peru.
She has been working for our Foundation for more than 6 years and is in charge of the proyect training
and social proyection like Quillarumiyoc, Kantupata and IRREPEC.
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