The Guanaco parade
This weekend, chileans celebrate St. Ignatius day. He is the Patron Saint of Native Animals, rather like a Chilean version of St. Francis.
After hearing about this Saint, we were always a little intrigued by the range of creatures he is said to represent. In addition to the Andean Condor and the Andean Flamingo- both uniquely South American but neither uniquely Chilean- the list includes Vizcachas- chinchillas crossed with rabbits- and guanacos, the wild version of the Llama. The latter are hardy creatures that live on the altiplano. They spit or hiss or attack anyone that approach them.
Thus the Guanaco seems a strange choice of creature with which to celebrate the life of a Saint. Yet today, a “Guanaco” parade” is held in every town or village throughout Chile… Being rare and predominantly domesticated, people traditionally parade through their village or town in traditional costume, following a herd of domestic llama. In our part of Santiago, few people own llamas, but in poorer parts of the city, people who have recently moved from the countryside, often keep one or two in the garden or even just on the street.
Incredibly, the national Guanaco parade held in Santiago will be traversing a street parallel to ours! Unfortunately, Rachel will miss this sight, as she returns from Paranal on sunday night. But I’m really looking forward to seeing the parade. I’m told the domesticated llamas are taught to perform tricks and, in the run up to Easter, they are dressed in Easter bonnets! And, although it’ll probably smell awful, the women carry jugs of llama milk around in the afternoon heat and sing to the creatures!
Anyway, I’ll take some pictures and post them asap. Click here for some photos from last years parade.
