克斯瓦恰卡橋：最後一座連結社區的古印加草繩橋 | Q'eswachaka, the last Inca bridge that keeps communities together

本文原載於Global Voice，經作者 Gabriela García Calderón 授權同意後轉載。

印加帝國時期（蓋丘亞語：Tawantinsuyo），古秘魯人發展出一系列的道路與橋樑網絡，以連結其廣大的領土。

當時建造的橋樑，只有克斯瓦恰卡橋（蓋丘亞語：Q'eswachaka或Queshuachaca，意為繩之橋）留存至今。該橋位於庫斯科大區（Cusco）南方的卡納斯省（Canas），橫跨阿普里馬克河（Apurímac River），連接狹窄山口的兩端。

This article is reprinted on DUET with the permission of Global Voices and its author, Gabriela García Calderón.

During the Inca empire, also known as Tawantinsuyo, ancient Peruvians developed a broad network of roads and bridges so the extensive territory could communicate.

Of all the bridges that existed back then, the only one that remains today is the Q'eswachaka or Queshuachaca (literally, "rope bridge" in the Quechua language), which spans a narrow pass over the Apurímac River in the province of Canas, located in the southern region of Cusco.

最後的古印加橋—克斯瓦恰卡橋 || Last Inca bridge, Queshuachaca.

克斯瓦恰卡橋由安地斯山高地特有的ichu草繩編製而成，500多年來，當地人維持著這項草編技藝的古老傳統。每到六月，Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Choccayhua, Ccollana Quehue四個農村社區居民匯聚在一起舉行儀式，以古印加時期所的原料及技術來修復橋樑。

2013年，「與克斯瓦恰卡橋年度翻新有關的知識、技能與儀式」被登錄於聯合國教科文組織(UNESCO)人類非物質文化遺產代表作名錄中。相關敘述表示：

對社區居民來說，這座橋不只是交通運輸的道路，更是強化社會連結的途徑。它是社區與自然、傳統、歷史連結的神聖表徵。

橋樑之修建，傳統之復興

橋樑翻新的儀式持續三天，每一天都有完善的活動。

第一天的儀式始於給守護神Apu的獻祭。之後，修橋的主要材料到齊後，會一起被搓擰成細線。午後，各社區會將細線集合起來，再製成粗繩——四條用在橋的底部，兩條用在扶手。

做好的新繩會在當天置妥於橫跨河岸的兩端。第二天，當河岸兩邊的安全措施做好後，舊繩子會在被鬆綁後墜落。

而第三天，chakaruhac（古印加時期的工程師）會將新繩編繫成人可以行走於上的平面，之後再將扶手和橋面銜接，加以固定。

最終，在當地音樂與舞蹈的慶賀中，克斯瓦恰卡橋被重新啟用。

The Q'eswachaka is made out of ichu, a grass endemic to the Andean highlands. For more than 500 years, the local people have kept this tradition of ancient technology alive. Every year in June, the rural communities of Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Choccayhua and Ccollana Quehue come together in a ritual ceremony to rebuild the bridge with the same raw materials and techniques used in the time of the Incas.

In 2013, the knowledge, skills and rituals related to the annual renewal of the Q'eswachaka bridge were inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. According to that description:

[The communities] see it as a means of strengthening their social links and not simply as a transport route. The bridge is considered a sacred expression of the communities' bond with nature, tradition and history […]

The renewal of a bridge and the revitalization of a tradition

The rite of renewal lasts three days, each one with its activities very well established.

The first day begins with an oblation to the protector Apu. The main material for the bridge is collected and twisted into narrow strands. In the afternoon, the communities bring the material together, twisting the narrow strands into thick ropes — four for the floor of the bridge, and two for the railings.

The main ropes are then extended across the river. On the second day, they're secured to each side, and the old ropes are allowed to fall.

On the third day, the chakaruhac (Inca engineer) braids the bridge together to give the bridge a surface to walk on and to stabilize the railings by connecting them to the base.

Finally on the last day, the bridge is reopened with typical music and dances from the area.