Virgin of Chapi
May 1st |
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Festival of the Lord of Muruhuay
Entire month of May |
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Festival of the Crosses
Entire month of May |
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Festival of the Crosses and Avocado Festival
May 3 |
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Feast of Alacitas and Las Cruces
3rd and 4th May |
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Anniversary of Cotahuasi
4th May |
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Qoyllority
variable |
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Lord of Torrechayoc
variable |
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Corpus Christi
variable |
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Homage to the Defenders of Alianza Field
May 26th |
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Feast of the Holy Spirit
May – June (variable) |
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SITE:
May / 1
Arequipa Region |
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USEFUL INFORMATION:
Location: Chapi (2420 masl / 7940 fasl).
Climate: dry and semi-cold.
Average temperature: 14°C (57°F). |
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DESCRIPTION:
Pilgrimage crossing the Arequipa desert to worship the Virgin of Purification or Virgin of Chapi. The pilgrims carry rocks of different sizes they will leave before Chapi, making the so-called apachetas, symbolizing the devout’s sins. In a night-long wake, the image of the miraculous Virgin is surrounded by candles to then leave in procession. There are also fireworks and typical foods. |
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HOW TO GET THERE
By road: Chapi, 76 km / 47 miles southeast of Arequipa. There is bus access, but some pilgrims prefer to go on foot (1 hour walk approx.) |
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Lord of Muruhuay |
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SITE:
May
Junín Region |
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USEFUL INFORMATION:
Location: Shalacoto hill (2959 masl / 9708 fasl), Acobamba,
12 km from Tarma.
Climate: mild.
Average temperature: 14ºC (57ºF). |
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DESCRIPTION:
The image of the Crucified Lord, painted on the skirts of the Shalacoto hill, is worshipped on this date by thousands of pilgrims. Some old rites to worship water, earth and rocks have survived in this celebration. On the central day a solemn Mass is celebrated in Quechua and then the believers drop their “Letter to God”, requesting miracles or thanking favors granted. The organizers usually offer a typical lunch to visitors and dancers. |
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HOW TO GET THERE
By road: by the Central Highway following the Lima - Ticlio - Huancayo route (310 km / 193 miles), in 5:30 h. |
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Festival of the Crosses / Entire month of May
Province of Pasco and Daniel A. Carrion Pasco
A religious festival dating back to the Vice Royal Period organized by the so-called Majordomos (masters of ceremonies in charge of organizing and managing the feast). People go out on the streets performing old dances like the Chunguinada, the Baile Viejo or the Negreria. |
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Festival of the Crosses and Avocado Festival / May 3
Province of Huanta, District of Luricocha. Ayacucho
This celebration is very distinctive since hundreds of people from towns all over the Andes and the jungle show up carrying crosses of differing sizes and weights. The people carry their crosses and participate in a race around the perimeter of the Main Square of Luricocha (beginning and ending at the church). The area is also famous for its 42 different species of avocados. |
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Feast of Alacitas and Las Cruces / 3rd and 4th May
Province of San Roman and Puno. Districts of Juliaca, Puno, and Cabanillos. Puno
It is a special occasion where the inhabitants sell miniature handcrafted items, symbolizing the things anyone wishes to possess like houses, cars, money, etc, in different fairs located along the main streets of each city. Bolivian artisans also participate in this festival. |
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Anniversary of Cotahuasi / 4th May
Province of LaUnion, District of Cotahuasi. Arequipa
It is the most important traditional festival of the province. There are bull fights and group dance competitions, and visits to the different attractions in the region are promoted. |
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Qoyllority / variable
Province of Quispicanchi, District of Ocongate Cusco
A pilgrimage to the summit of MountSinaqara. Along the way, there is a procession, some dancing, musical groups performances, fireworks, and a symbolic alasitas market (works in miniature). This festival unites two traditions – Andean and Catholic – since it celebrates both the image of Christ that appeared on a rock at 4750 masl / 15.584 fasl and the worship of the Apu Ausangate. |
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Lord of Torrechayoc / variable
Province of Urubamba, District of Urubamba Cusco
This festival began in 1860 when an enormous cross was placed in the snow, and the opening of a section of railway (Urubamba-Lares) was celebrated with a mass. Years later, the cross was carried to the city of Urubamba where they began a worship of it. In addition to a mass, the cross is carried in a procession with all its jewels. There are fireworks, parades of dancers, bullfights, and cockfights. |
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Corpus Christi / variable
Province of Cusco, District of Cusco Cusco
A procession of sixteen sculptures of much venerated patron saints. The procession is partially formed by music and folklore dance groups. The traditional food is the chiri uchu, roasted Guinea pig with jerky, toasted corn, rocoto (hot pepper), boiled chicken, cheese, seaweed, fish eggs, and corn tortilla |
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Homage to the Defenders of Alianza Field – May 26th
Province of Tacna, District of Tacna Tacna
A parade and other civic acts take place in the Alianza Field. |
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Feast of the Holy Spirit – May – June (variable)
Province of Huancavelica, District of Huancavelica Huancavelica
Feast of the patron of Huancavelica where the Holy Spirit is worshipped with customary expressions like the chaskiy bull, the chutay bull, and the pukllay bull, performed by different neighborhoods during the week. This feast begins with the Lowering of the Crosses, accompanied by the traditional wakrapukus (cattle horns), harawis (songs), and the sounding of the sacred pututo conch shell horns |
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