Yaquiva can be explored through two distinct cultural themes: the history of its chapels and the library in the Nasa town. The chapels bring together an approximate historical date, a local tradition, and an image with a named dedication. The library represents a different purpose: preserving the knowledge and thought of many peoples. Together, these themes draw attention both to the local history of the chapels and to a cultural initiative whose plans included reading, learning, and consultation.

Chapels: History and Tradition

The community of Yaquiva had four chapels; the first was built around 1700. “Around” indicates an approximate time frame rather than an exact year of construction. A local tradition also tells of the first chapel being moved: it was relocated from a site by the river to a higher place near its present location after people suspected a threat from a large snake. The snake and the suspected danger are part of the tradition; the story recounts a fear held at the time. The date and the tradition serve different purposes: the date places the first chapel in time, while the story recounts its relocation and the suspected reason for it.

The chapel in Yaquiva houses an image of Saint Roch from Quito, chosen in honor of the cacique Roque Yaquive. The image’s origin and dedication refer to two different things: Quito as its place of origin, and Roque Yaquive as the person in whose honor it was chosen. The approximate date of the first chapel’s construction and the honoring of the image address different questions: one places the chapel’s history in time, while the other identifies the reason for the dedication.

Library and Cultural Mission

There is a library in the Nasa town of Yaquiva. Its aim is to preserve the knowledge and thought of many peoples. It therefore represents a cultural purpose, whereas the chapel history is made tangible through an approximate date, a local tradition, and a dedication. The two themes point to different aspects of Yaquiva’s cultural character: the story of the chapels and the commitment to preserving the knowledge and thought of many peoples.

The plans described in 2023 included a reading area for children, a reading and study area for the general public, and consultation rooms. The layout reflects three types of use in the concept: reading for children, reading and studying for a general audience, and consultation. This makes it possible to distinguish the library’s cultural purpose from its specific spatial plan: the goal of preservation describes its mission, while the areas listed describe the uses included in the design.

If you are considering Yaquiva as a destination with a cultural focus, you can prioritize these themes according to your interests. The chapel tradition offers a historical perspective through an approximate date, a local story, and a dedication; the library concept draws attention to the preservation of knowledge and to the planned spaces for reading, study, and consultation.

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For the wider travel overview: Cauca.