The Wiraqocha Foundation for the preservation of indigenous wisdom

Juan Nuņez del Prado

Juan Nuñez del Prado, anthropologist and Andean priest, is our initiation guide. Juan has studied Andean tradition for 34 years and has trained with Q'ero priests. His father, anthropologist Oscar Nuñez del Prado, "discovered" the Q'ero Indians--direct descendants of the Inkas--in 1949 and led the first expedition to their villages in 1955. Juan met his Master, don Benito Qoriwaman (see right, top photo) --mentioned in Shirley MaLlaine's book, It's All in the Playing--, and studied with him for 10 years before receiving the Hatun Karpay Initiation in 1988. Juan has been gathering the Inka prophecies for 15 years. Trained in Anthropology and a native of Cuzco, Juan is an excellent teacher and bridge between cultures.


Top: Q'ero master Don Benito Qworiwoman, one of Juan's teachers, Center: Juan Nuñez del Prado, Bottom: Elizabeth Jenkins
Q'ero Indians, the keepers of the ancient spiritual Inka tradition