Summary
Highlights
Walter welcomes listeners back to the Garbanzo Spanish podcast and introduces the legend of the Ayar brothers. Before diving into the story, he reviews important Spanish vocabulary words such as 'tiene miedo' (is afraid), 'mira' (looks at/watches), 'hacia' (toward), and 'hermano' (brother), reinforcing their meanings with examples.
The legend begins with four brothers—Ayar Manco, Ayar Cachi, Ayar Uchu, and Ayar Auca—who were leaders of different 'ayus' (communities) in Peru. After a terrible flood destroyed their lands, everyone was fearful. The brothers, their wives, and their communities took refuge in the Pacaritambo cave. After many days, they emerged to find widespread destruction and infertile land. They decided to journey southeast to find new fertile lands.
As they traveled, Ayar Cachi, who was irritable, strong, and possessed magical powers, caused conflict among the brothers. Fearing him, the other three brothers—Ayar Manco, Ayar Uchu, and Ayar Auca—concocted a plan to eliminate him. They tricked Ayar Cachi into entering a cave to find food, and once inside, a member of his ayu blocked the entrance with a massive rock, trapping him forever. Only three brothers continued the journey.
The remaining brothers, their wives, and communities continued their journey southeast. They arrived at Mount Huanacauri, where a stone idol of the same name stood. While the others respected and adored the idol, Ayar Uchu climbed on top of it. Immediately, he transformed into stone, leaving only two brothers to continue their quest.
Ayar Auca and Ayar Manco, with their families, pressed on. Ayar Auca decided to explore a different area, the Pampa del Sol. He grew wings and flew towards it, but upon reaching the Pampa del Sol, he also turned into stone. This left Ayar Manco as the sole remaining brother.
Despite the loss of his brothers, Ayar Manco, accompanied by his wife and the ayu members, bravely continued his journey southeast. He eventually arrived at the fertile Valley of Cusco. There, he placed a golden staff, belonging to Inti, the sun god, into the earth, signifying the richness of the land. Ayar Manco decided to found a city there, establishing Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire.