Ancient Inca celebrations in Peru

Millennium celebrations took place in the ancient Inca capital

Millennium celebrations in Peru took place in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire, with 1,500 performers participating in the Festival of the Moon.

They recreated long forgotten indigenous customs and ritual battles at the Inca fort of Sacsayhuaman, in front of an estimated 6,000 tourists.

The show featured costumes, music, dances and enactment from ancient Peruvian culture, juxtaposed with a modern light and music show.

It was performed in Quechua, the Incan language, using rituals and symbolic figures drawn from nature and pre-Hispanic deities.

Fireworks were set off shortly after midnight, to mark the millennium.

Despite cool temperatures of about five degrees Celcius, the performance attracted an enthusiastic response from tourists.

Cusco is located 3,500 metres above sea level.

However, the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu was closed for the weekend.