The Museum of Anthropology at UBC (MOA) will debut a major new exhibition this spring examining the spiritual and cosmological traditions of the ancient Andes. Tupananchiskama: Ancient Andean Cosmovision opens March 19, 2026, and runs through January 3, 2027.
Guest curated by Luis Manuel González, an adjunct professor in UBC’s Department of Anthropology, the bilingual (English and Spanish) exhibition draws on MOA’s collection of ancient Andean artifacts. Featuring nearly 100 objects crafted from ceramic, textile, bone, shell and wood, some dating back more than 2,500 years, the exhibition explores Andean cosmovision — a holistic framework in which life and death exist in a continuous, interconnected cycle.
“Tupananchiskama,” a Quechua word meaning “until life brings us together again,” reflects themes of circularity and renewal. González describes the exhibition as both a personal reconnection with ancestral heritage and an invitation for visitors to reflect on their own lineages in today’s fast-paced world.
The show includes works from cultures across Peru’s coast and highlands, spanning eras from early hunter-gatherer societies to the Inka. Prominent among them are ceramics from the Moche of Peru’s northern coast and the Nasca of the south. Shared symbols such as the chakana — linked to the Southern Cross constellation — and the Staff God illustrate enduring cosmological themes.
Highlights include ancient wind instruments, such as a conch-shell trumpet and clay ocarinas, underscoring wind’s spiritual significance in ritual life. An animated projection by contemporary Peruvian artist Miguel Araoz Cartagena reimagines the Milky Way, reflecting the Inka’s belief in both light and dark constellations.
MOA will host a free public opening celebration on March 19 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Last modified: February 25, 2026
