Phaq'u Q'awa is a mountain in the Cordillera Occidental range of the Andes, situated in the Oruro Department of Bolivia. The peak reaches an elevation of approximately 5,380 metres (17,651 ft) above sea level.
Geography
The mountain lies within the Sajama Province, in the western part of the Curahuara de Carangas Municipality. It is positioned northwest of the extinct Sajama volcano and south of the neighboring summit Qullqi Warani. The river Junt'uma K'uchu originates to the north of Phaq'u Q'awa and flows southeast as a right‑hand tributary of the Sajama River.
Etymology
The name derives from the Aymara language, where phaq'u (also rendered paqu or p'aqu) denotes a light brown, reddish, or chestnut colour, and q'awa refers to a small river, ditch, crevice, or fissure. Consequently, Phaq'u Q'awa translates to “brown brook” or “brown ravine.” Hispanicized spellings of the name include Pacocahua and Pajojañua.
References
- Bolivian IGM map 1:50,000 Nevados Payachata Hoja 5739‑I.
- Instituto Radiofonico de Promoción Aymara (IRPA), 1993; reproduced by Instituto de las Lenguas y Literaturas Andinas‑Amazónicas (ILLLA‑A), 2011.
- Layme Pairumani, Félix. Diccionario Bilingüe, Castellano‑Aymara.
This entry is based on information from the English Wikipedia article “Phaq'u Q'awa (Sajama)” and related geographic sources.