WEBVTT

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The Q'eswachaka bridge in Peru is rebuilt every year

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using traditional Inka engineering techniques

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by the local communities on either side of the canyon.

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This bridge has been continually rebuilt

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in this same location since the time of the Inka.

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The entire bridge is built in only three days.

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To construct the bridge, grass called q’oya is harvested

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and then prepared to be woven into large cables

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beginning with small cord

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which is twisted together from the local grass.

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These cords are then twisted to form a larger rope

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and the ropes are then braided

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to create the main cable.

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Up on the highway, the community works together

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to pull these ropes to stretch them out.

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These ropes are woven and twisted.

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Each rope is made from 30 of the small cords

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and then three of these ropes are braided to form

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the cables that will support the bridge.

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After more stretching, the cables are then carried down

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to where the bridge will be installed.

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The old bridge is used to run the first cable across

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for what will become the new bridge.

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And then the old bridge is cut down

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and it falls into the water

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and is washed away by the river.

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All day long, the community pulls on the new cables

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to prepare them for the bridge.

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These supporting cables are anchored to

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the stone abutments on either side of the canyon.

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Victoriano Arizapana is the architect of the bridge.

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He uses traditional methods which have been

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handed down in his family for centuries.

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The work my father gave me to do,

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I started doing when I was 12 years old.

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I love that bridge Q'eswachaka very much.

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In other words, I love it like a son.

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The structure of the bridge is made with

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four cables for the floor and two handrails.

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The bridge weaving begins in the morning

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with Victoriano weaving from one side

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and another worker weaving from the other side

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until they meet in the center of the bridge.

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When the bridge is finally finished

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the communities come together to celebrate.

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The structure is remarkably safe.

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It has been built for centuries in this way

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and can hold dozens of people at any one time.

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