The Low-Down On Peruvian Culture

Pre Conquest

Before the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Peru, fine pottery was the main element of Peruvian art, along with textiles, metalwork, and stone craft played an important role in the day-to-day life of Peruvian people. After the Spanish colonization, new elements in the art world of Peru’s culturewere implemented. An example is the urban planning by the Spanish, building cities with a rectangular structure in the Renaissance and Baroque styles. The Spanish style was combined with elements of the pre-conquistador culture in Peru, mixing with the so-called “Mestizo style”. Most of the buildings that are constructed in the Mestizo style are situated in southern Peru, mostly in Arequipa and Puno. The combination of Indian and Spanish art with European influences also occurs in paintings, mainly found in the city of Cusco.

 

Colonial Balcony, Lima

 

The Andean Culture

The Quechua are described as the direct descendants of the Incas, but in the present day, they comprise several indigenous groups scattered throughout South America. The Quechua culture is still very prevalent in the music, dance, dress, food, and language of the Andean region in Peru. The vibrant Andean textiles sold in artisan shops in Peru have become a staple souvenir among travelers and play an important economic and cultural role in many Andean communities. Women generally wear skirts and petticoats, while men typically wear multicolored ponchos. To make these textiles, the wool of llamas, alpacas, and sheep is spun, dyed, and woven into beautiful blankets and clothing. These textiles display intricate patterns and designs that communicate symbols and myths that are locally important.

 

Traditional Dancers in Puno

 

Rituals

The spiritual beliefs of modern Peruvians have deep roots in Inca mythology. This is especially true of those who are raised in traditional Andean communities. One example is the continuing reverence shown to high mountain peaks, which are considered sacred and believed to be the dwelling places of powerful spirits called apus. Today people make offerings to the apus by gathering food, drink, coca leaves, and other plants as a symbol of gratitude for all that the spirits provide. There are also many ancient rituals around Pachamama or Mother Earth. The rituals are especially prevalent on August 1st, which is Día de la Pachamama. On this day, there are massive ceremonies, offerings, and rituals, following the core Andean practice of ayni, or reciprocity to the earth goddess.

 

Payment to The Mother Earth

 

Representations of Peruvian Culture

Peruvian culture and its different expressions, such as art, music, architecture, and cuisine have always been characterized by the mixture of Hispanic and local South American culture. Thanks to the diversity of Peru, different traditions and customs co-exist. In almost all cultural elements we can notice an interesting mixture of the native roots of Peru´s culture and language combined with the influences of European elements the Spanish conquistadores brought to Peru.

 

San Francisco Monastery Lima

 

Peruvian Food

Peruvians have become experts at experimenting with new flavors, harmonizing aromas, and discovering new ways of cooking. “Peruvian cuisine is another expression of a national identity that embraces multiple cultures and the bounty of nature the diversity of Peru’s agricultural production, microclimates, geography, multiple cultures, and the genius of its chefs have enriched the culinary nature of Peru to the point where it is now recognized as the Gastronomic Capital of The Americas. Andean culture is also reflected in the local cuisine. The appearance of cuy, or guinea pig, on a restaurant menu may come as a shock to unprepared travelers. Guinea pigs are not considered pets in Peru, but rather a delicious food delicacy. Eating cuy is a tradition from Inca times when the rodent was typically eaten by royalty. Today guinea pigs can be ordered grilled, roasted, or deep fried, served whole or chopped into smaller pieces, and the dish is still reserved for special occasions. Mistura is the largest food festival in Latin America. Held in Lima, it brings together the leading chefs and restaurants of Peru, not to mention thousands of food aficionados from around the globe.

 

Ceviche

 

Peruvian Music

Music is also an important form of cultural expression in Peru. A popular style of Peruvian music is traditional folklore music. Different instruments are used in Peruvian folkloric music such as the quena and the zampoña. Music and dance have always played an important role in Peruvian society. Ancient Peruvians used sea shells, reeds, and even animal bones to produce sounds. It is said that the Peruvians of the Nazca culture were the most important pre-Hispanic musicians on the continent. Panpipes or zampoñas, terracotta trumpets, and pututos were some of the most important musical instruments in ancient Peru. Another typical Peruvian instrument is the "charango"; this is a small stringed instrument made of the shell from the back of the armadillo. Armadillos are typical South American mammals, they are medium-sized with leathery shells. Today, Andean wind instruments are combined with the European guitar creating a new style of Peruvian music.

 

Sampoña Panpipes

 

Peruvian Art and Handicrafts

Ancient Peruvians were outstanding handicraft artisans with highly developed technical skills. Pre-Hispanic Peruvian art often takes the pragmatic form of weaving, gourds, wood, stone, gold, silver, pottery, and even mud, which were used for day-to-day living. This ancestral heritage is still seen today in the coastal, mountain, and jungle towns, in a variety of high-quality woven items. Peruvian silver filigree, carved gourds, Ayacuchan altars, Huamanga stone and wood carvings, Chulucanas pottery, and Monsefú ponchos, among others, are highly valued around the world.

 

Amazon Dreamcatchers

 

The Best Living Culture Experiences in Peru

 

Visit a Weaving Community

Practically everyone comes home from Peru with a woven blanket, bag, or sweater. It's almost impossible to resist buying something. Because textiles — as well as artwork, painting, jewelry, and other handicrafts, are not simply an old tradition in Peru. They are literally woven into the fabric of Peru´s cultural identity. If you are interested in learning about the traditions behind the colorful textiles in the markets, consider going behind closed doors to visit artisans in their workshops. In the Sacred Valley of the Incas, there are a number of artisan communities you can visit to learn the processes involved in traditional Andean weaving such as Huilloc and Ccaccacollo for the ultimate living culture in the Cusco region.

 

Huilloc Weaving Community

 

Visit a Traditional Market

Peru is packed with fascinating markets. The rustic village of Chinchero is an incredible local market, where visitors can come into contact with local traditions through a colorful market and ruins. Traditional markets are common throughout Peru, but the most beautiful objects and vibrant cultural displays are found in smaller towns and villages such as Chinchero. Chinchero is famous for its weaving traditions and you can watch live demonstrations. The market is quite small and although it’s become more touristy in recent years, it still retains much of its authentic character. Santurantinkuy at Christmas is another traditional market in Cusco, where the plaza de Armas is taken over by local villagers, to sell their wares just in time for Christmas. A local living Christmas tradition in The Andes of Peru!

 

Flower Seller, Chinchero

 

Visit an Aymara Community

The Uros people are perhaps the most fascinating of the various Peruvian ethnic groups. Their culture is one of the oldest still practiced in present-day Peru. The Uros are the traditional owners of Lake Titicaca and their presence in the area dates back to before the arrival of the Incas. The Uros began to build and live on floating islands as a way to defend themselves from the arrival of enemies and make a quick escape if required. The islands are constructed from Totora reeds that grow abundantly in Lake Titicaca. For the most incredible living culture Peru tour, contact us at Valencia Travel to arrange a visit to these magnificent floating islands on Lake Titicaca.

 

Uros Floating Islands

 

Attend a Peruvian Festival

Inti Raymi

The Quechua word “Inti Raymi” which stands for ‘Sun Festival” is one of the most visually stunning festivals of Peru which is celebrated on the 24th of June in the city of Cusco. The celebrations are a tribute to the Sun God, one of the principal symbols of worship in the Inca culture. This ceremony which takes place at the Sacsayhuaman esplanade presently has over 750 participants who take part in the rituals with the same devotion and fervor as in centuries past. Some of the other sites of this ceremony include Haucaypata and Coricancha.

Virgen de la Candelaria

In February, the Virgen de la Candelaria (also known as the Virgen of Candlemas) festival is everything you would expect from a Peruvian folkloric celebration. Dancing, colorful costumes, music, with food and beverages flowing for days. Puno draws some of the best dance troupes from around the region, around 170 groups and 40,000 dancers. It is the third largest festival in South America, with preparations starting a year in advance and one of the best examples in Peru for living the culture of Peru´s festivals.

 

Virgen de la Candelaria

 

Visit an Indigenous Tribe in the Jungle

Boat along the Amazon to a stunning rainforest lodge where you'll experience the culture of the native Infierno community and explore the natural wonders of the Tambopata Nature Reserve. Paddle out into an oxbow lake to spot giant otters, learn about traditional medicines at the ethnobotanical center, see colorful parrots flock to a salt lick, and more. It's an amazing introduction to life in the Amazon! The lodge is owned and run by the Infierno Community and your stay directly supports their ongoing efforts to support local livelihoods, preserve their culture and conserve a 2,000 hectare private rainforest reserve. What better way to visit Peru than by directly living the culture of The Amazon indigenous people and supporting their survival in this remote region?

 

Local Family, Tambopata

 

Attend a Pago a La Tierra

This ceremony which literally translates as ‘payment to the earth’ is traditionally held throughout the month of August in the Peruvian Andes. According to the inhabitants, this is the time when Pachamama is both hungry and thirsty and offerings usually consist of alcoholic beverages, various grains, raw silver, wine, and even fetuses of sheep and llamas. This ceremony is held in a number of sites including Lambayeque, Huaraz, Puno, and Cusco. Payment to the earth is an ancient custom in which our ancestors had a strong bond of respect, love, and worship with nature. Andean world religion is based on rituals that create bonds with people and their habitat. In the Andean cosmovision, Inti (sun) was its most important deity. Apus were the spirits that lived in the mountains, and Mother Earth was the deity of fertility. Payment to the earth is a way to show gratitude to the spirits related to natural forces and the benefits we receive from their abundance. At present, people still give offerings to the earth when they build a house. They believe that by doing so, Pachamama will bless them and protect their property. A fascinating insight into the living culture and ancestral ceremonies in the Andean region.
 

Pago a La Tierra

 

Ask us at Valencia Travel for more information about living culture activities in the regions of Peru that you will visit. This is an excellent way to completely immerse yourself in the living culture of Peru! Book your trip to Peru here to experience  Peruvian Culture first-hand in this incredible country!