El Padrino y Ahijado
Illapa looking out over Cusco during the Niño P’unchaw festivities.
It's easy to feel discouraged by the current state of the world. Yet, it is important to remember that there are still wonderful things and good people who deserve our support and commitment. I regularly need to remind myself of this, especially now.
Life has thrown its share of obstacles my way, but I've been lucky to enjoy amazing friendships throughout my journey. This has remained the case here in Peru, where I've developed great friendships and forged deep connections with those around me.
I met my friends Manuel and Lia soon after arriving in Cusco, and I have since become close to them and their three children. Last weekend was a very special occasion as I became the godfather (padrino) to their eldest son, Illapa.
Illapa and I had a natural connection as soon as we met. He is a bit of an old soul who is sensitive, aware, and curious about the world around him. He is also strong. By 8 years old, he had already done the traditional pilgrimage of Qoyllur Rit’i three times. It nearly kicked my ass doing it once as a grown man!
He was not baptized and did not have a godfather because his parents practiced a traditional spiritual belief system. Still, they believed it was important for him to have a godfather in case anything happened. In Peru, an official baptism in the Catholic Church is required for this to be recognized. It was also significant for Manuel and Lia's family to have this acknowledgment through the church.
They had a specific person in mind for the role, but when they shared this with Illapa, he pushed back and insisted that this wasn’t the right choice for his godfather. This happened before I met them, and I think he was around 5 years old then—definitely a bit headstrong! :) It’s interesting to note that Illapa’s name translates to the god of thunder and lightning in Andean culture. No coincidence.
It was around a year into our friendship when Illapa decided to tell his parents that he wanted me to be his godfather. I was completely unaware of this, and his parents took their time to assess whether I would be a good fit for such an important role, given that it’s a lifelong commitment. My being older also influenced their choice, as I’m not quite in my prime anymore.
When Manuel and Lia approached me in June about becoming Illapa’s Padrino and shared the story behind it, I was truly moved and honoured. It felt natural, and I gladly accepted the role. Illapa was thrilled when his parents let him know I would be his padrino.
While planning the ceremony, we focused on finding traditional clothing for both Illapa and me. Illapa has been instilled with a strong sense of pride in his culture from a young age. For that reason, it was important for us to wear a poncho and chullo from the province of Quispicanchi, where they are from.
That poncho has become a cherished memento for me, representing the bond that Illapa and I share. I hope it serves as a meaningful symbol for him as well. It’s a privilege to take on the role of El Padrino, and he to be my Ahijado. I feel honoured to be his El Padrino and to support Illapa, along with his parents, as he navigates his path to becoming a man.
El Padrino y Ahijado
