because it is constructed from rope made of grass, the q'iswa chaka, which spans the apurímac river, must be rebuilt by the local community every year. aside from being the last of its kind, the bridge is significant as an example of the advanced engineering practices of the inca people which predated european contact. arizapana leads these efforts, assisted by fellow bridge architect eleutario ccallo tapia, beginning on the second week of june and lasts for three days; over 1,000 people are involved in the construction, including tasks such as performing rituals and making the rope. according to arizapana, he learned his craft from his grandfather and father, each of whom had been lead bridge builders before they died and each passed the position by birthright on to their son. similarly, arizapana has been teaching the skills to his son, and states that it will be his job to keep the bridge after he is gone.