High in Peru’s Andes, villagers carry out centuries-old work of collecting salt, in photos

CUSCO, Peru (AP) — When Uriel plans his work schedule late in summer near his village in the Peruvian mountains, his first decision is usually which friend’s salt pond he will work that day. In keeping with “ayni,” an ancient Quechua word that means mutual aid, villagers take turns helping each other collect their salt once a month during dry season.

"Today we worked on my ponds, and tomorrow we will work on my friends’ ponds,” said Uriel, whose family has been in the salt mining business for four generations.