EN
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.