VOA慢速英语2021--秘鲁以编织技艺修复500年草绳桥

Peruvians from the Huinchiri community are rebuilding an ancient Incan hanging bridge. They are using the same traditional weaving techniques used to build the bridge 500 years ago.

The Q'eswachaka bridge communities are divided by the Apurimac river in the Cusco region. The most recent bridge had been used for more than half a century. But during the COVID-19 pandemic it was neglected. It collapsed¹ in March.

Members of the affected² communities, like the Huinchiri, decided³ to rebuild the 30-meter long bridge. They are building it using the traditional Incan style: by weaving it.

Teams of workers started from both sides of the river. They balanced on large main ropes stretched over the water. Working towards the center, they placed smaller ropes as barriers between the handrail ropes and the bridge's floor.

Jean Paul Benavente is the governor of Cusco.

"Last year because of the pandemic, it wasn't strengthened ... That is why at the beginning of this year the bridge fell," he said. "But now it is like an answer to the pandemic itself.

Benavente said that the rebuilding means "we can tell the world that we are coming out if this little by little."

In 2013, UNESCO recognized the skills and traditions used to build the bridge as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Peru is rich in ancient culture. It has hundreds of places representing many cultures that date back thousands of years. The ancient Incan empire was in power when Spanish explorers arrived in the early 1500s.

"The Q'eswachaka, this Incan living bridge, is really an expression and cultural manifestation⁵," Benavente added. This bridge "connects villages, but that also connects traditions and connects culture."

Words in This Story

weave — v. to create something (such as a story) by combining different things in usually a complicated way

neglect — v. to fail to take care of or to give attention to (someone or something)

intangible — adj. not made of physical substance : not able to be touched : not tangible⁴

manifestation — n. a sign that shows something clearly

1 collapsed   

adj.倒塌的

参考例句：

• Jack collapsed in agony on the floor. 杰克十分痛苦地瘫倒在地板上。
• The roof collapsed under the weight of snow. 房顶在雪的重压下突然坍塌下来。

2 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

3 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

4 tangible   

adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的

参考例句：

• The policy has not yet brought any tangible benefits.这项政策还没有带来任何实质性的好处。
• There is no tangible proof.没有确凿的证据。

5 manifestation   

n.表现形式；表明；现象

参考例句：

• Her smile is a manifestation of joy.她的微笑是她快乐的表现。
• What we call mass is only another manifestation of energy.我们称之为质量的东西只是能量的另一种表现形态。