Page:Isaiah Bowman - Desert Trails of Atacama (1924).pdf/329

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Puna Settlements
307

Another one, which is a very large sheep, neither male nor female, is in the Laguna de Pozuelos. It is dazzling white in color, leaves the lake at night, rejoins a flock of sheep of the Indians, and disturbs them. Sometimes the Indians try to corral the flock and capture the huaca, but it always disap- pears. It is thought that this is a good sign, as it will eventu- ally increase the reproductive powers of the sheep. On the 2nd of August all the Indians of the Puna de Jujuy attach to their fingers, particularly the small finger, a twisted thread designed to keep them from sickness and harm in the course of the year. Others attach a thread to their legs or arms, On the occasion of the feast of the patron saint of Susques (Our Lady of Bethlehem) the images of the saints are decorated and borne about with chants and ceremonies of the Christian church mixed with ancient rites. The images, preceded by musicians and standards, are carried at first to the four small chapels at the four corners of the court of the church and then to the four apachetas located on the heights north, south, east, and west of the village, after which they are carried back to the church.

The Puna de Jujuy

That part of the high country of Argentina between 22° and 24° south latitude cast of the Puna de Atacama is known as the Puna de Jujuy.[1] It has pertained to Argentina since the Wars of Independence. The Indians of the Puna de Jujuy number 12,000 and live in an area of 27,500 square kilo- meters. The principal villages are: Yavi (494 inhabitants), La Quiaca (about 100), Santa Catalina (179), Rinconada (150), Cochinoca (117), Casabindo (85), and Abrapampat(?).[2] They resemble the Indians of Susques but, living at a lower elevation, have more resources: beans, potatoes, alfalfa, and fair pasture for the support of sheep and asses. They also have easicr communication with Bolivia and the lower regions

  1. On the map Figure 87, p. 259, the Puna de Jujuy may be identified as that part of the highland lying east of Susques and including Salinas Grandes.
  2. Bric Boman: Antiquités de la région andine de la République Argentine et du Désert d'Atacama, 2 vols., Paris, 1908; reference in Vol. 2, p. 470.