Yatañneshañ - part 4 Cornesha’ Huancashpeñ 4:30 min.

Yatañneshañ - part 4

Cornesha’ Huancashpeñ

4:30 min.

Following the Spanish invasion, Yanesha ancestors were being abducted and killed by priests and soldiers. Huancashpeñ was given spiritual powers by Ashaninka shamans and chosen as Cornesha (warrior-priest) to protect the Yanesha ancestors and their sacred places. Huancashpeñ built a temple amidst large coca plantations in a strategic mountain in Huancabamba. From there, he used tobacco and his shamanic powers to fend off the invaders. Eventually Huancashpeñ and his people were defeated by Spanish soldiers and priests. They built a Catholic church over the ruins of Huancashpeñ’s temple.

Recorded in the Central Andean Amazon of Peru, 2005-06.

Directed by Wilton Martinez, Richard Chase Smith & Espiritu Bautista

Production: Instituto del Bien Comun / Executive Producer: Richard Chase Smith

Research: Espiritu Bautista & Richard Chase Smith

Camera & Editing: Wilton Martinez / Sound: Eduardo Bryce & Daniel Kirwayo

Production Assistant: Valbina Miguel / Illustrations: Anselmo Cruz / Maps: Richard Chase Smith

Funding & Support: Ford Foundation / Distributed by the Instituto del Bien Comun

Duration: 4:30 minutes

This film is recommended for teaching about subjects including:

oral history

myth and religion

Yanesha cultural identity