Secret of the Andes

Llamas are used as a motif to support the theme Heritage and the Preservation of Culture. Throughout the story, llamas represent a connection to the ancient Incan way of life, and their continuous presence reflects the importance of maintaining cultural traditions and knowledge across generations.

The act of herding and caring for llamas links Cusi directly to his Incan ancestors, who also relied on llamas for transportation, wool, and companionship. By constantly tending to the llamas, Cusi engages in one of the oldest and most sacred practices of his ancestors. He views the llamas as “friends, companions, and burden-bearers” who provide both “fuel for his fire and blood for his ancient sacrifice” (64). The llamas provide Cusi with physical necessities, but the reference to “ancient sacrifice” reveals that they also serve a spiritual purpose, anchoring him to the religious traditions of the Inca. The llamas embody the continuity of sacred rituals and daily life that Cusi must uphold. When llamas appear, they reinforce the continuity of Incan customs, showing how Cusi’s life is tied to the practices of his forebears. His care for the llamas symbolizes his guardianship of Incan traditions, keeping them alive in the modern world, even as the external world has forgotten or neglected these ancient ways.