José María Arguedas

The Pongo’s Dream (El sueño del pongo) is a folk tale compiled by the Peruvian writer José María Arguedas that tells the story of a humble indigenous servant, known as the pongo, who suffers constant humiliation and abuse at the hands of his master, the owner of the hacienda. However, one day, the pongo dares to tell of a dream in which both master and servant appear before Saint Francis and are judged for their actions in life. Through this parable, Arguedas explores Peruvian society’s profound inequalities and injustices while affirming the cultural resistance and hope for the liberation of the indigenous people.