Apus: Non-human persons in ontology of Q’eros from the Cordillera Vilcanota (Peru)

The villages of the Q’eros (local Quechua group from the Vilcanota mountain range) are surrounded by high mountains (apus) that seem to observe the monotonous life of the inhabitants . After all, for the Q’eros, apus are not only a form of terrain, but also person-like beings that have an impact on daily human lives . Apus (mountain-person) are described as the guardians of villages, as wild animal masters; mineral and precious stones masters, healers and the guardians of shamans . In the text we analyze the onto- logical status of apus as non-human persons, the impact of apus on human lives and rela- tionships between humans and apus that rely on reciprocity or predation.