Getting ready for planting
The rainy season is about to start and most fields (called chacras) have been plowed to be ready for planting. The island is divided into four quarters called suyu. Each suyu is designated for specific crops in rotation. Ciwarasuyu is for planting grains like corn, quinoa and barley. Papasuyu is for planting potatoes and Ocasuyu is for a tuber that's kind of a cross between a potato and a carrot. The fourth suyu is wasara and it's for letting the land rest and for animals to graze.
Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1... ... read more 
