THE 10 MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF AREQUIPA - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The customs and traditions of Arequipa, Peru, represent its origin and its cultural identity. Some are celebrated on the same days that religious holidays are held.

This is due to the fact that during the colonial period the inhabitants of Arequipa resided in a quiet way and they were only seen celebrating religious festivals, since that was what the Spanish Crown established.

Consequently, the religious celebrations took root in each of its inhabitants and became their customs and traditions.

However, with the passing of the years they also took on other traditions that are not inherited from the Spanish. The bullfight stands out, a tradition originated by the farmers of Arequipa.

The cockfight, Holy Week, the feast of the Virgin of Chapi, the yaraví, the carnival and the anniversary of Arequipa are some of the traditions and customs of Arequipa.

You may also be interested in the history of Arequipa.

The 10 main traditions of Arequipa

1- The Arequipa carnival

Carnival in Arequipa is an unmissable tradition for its citizens. During the days of celebration they usually play with water and, on some occasions, they add colored dyes to it.

During the carnivals, you cannot miss the traditional dance called Arequipa Carnival, which is performed in honor of the god Momo. It is usually danced by young single men.

During the carnival it is also common to see the gastronomic fairs where typical dishes of the region are presented, such as stuffed hot pepper, stew and shrimp chupe, among others. Also, it is customary to choose the carnival queen.

2- Bullfight

The bull fight is an original tradition of the farmers of Arequipa, who after spending long hours at work made their bulls fight each other to clear their minds and have fun.

They also served to know which peasant had the strongest bull. However, with the passing of time these fights were being present in all the celebrations.

Consequently, bullfighting is one of the most important customs in Arequipa. Currently they breed the bulls with the aim of taking them to traditional fights, which in most cases ends with a dead or badly injured bull.

3- Cockfight

The cockfight consists of facing two roosters called "fine fighting birds". This means that they are roosters that can be kept in a fight. The owners of the roosters and the spectators usually bet on a rooster.

Roosters are bred strictly: they must follow a rigorous diet, keep their vaccinations up to date and train them physically.

Physical training may consist of placing small weights on their legs to make their muscles develop more.

They can also be put to fight with lower-ranking roosters in order to get used to the fights.

Fighting cocks should not have contact with any hens, as this would prevent them from concentrating on their training.

Usually when the roosters have had enough fights they are removed. At that moment they have a hen close by in order to raise a baby.

4- The feast of the Virgin of Chapi

The Virgen de Chapi, also known as Virgen de Nuestra Señora de la Purificación or Virgen de la Candelaria, is the patron saint of the city of Arequipa.

His feast is celebrated both on February 2 and the last days of April and the first days of May.

It is called Virgen de Chapi because it was in that place where the first miracle of the Virgin was known, since when they wanted to move the image to another place it was impossible to lift it even when they had previously been able to do so.

This situation made the devotees say that it was a miracle and therefore they created an issue in his honor.

Later, the image remained intact after an earthquake that occurred in the middle of the 18th century, which completely destroyed the issue where the Virgin was located.

And so other events considered miracles happened, attracting more and more faithful. This celebration makes Arequipa each year receive thousands of devotees.

5- The anniversary of Arequipa

Arequipa's anniversary is celebrated on August 15 and a week or two of festivities are held in its honor.

During these festivities, he performs a civic-military parade, the parade, cultural meetings, music recitals, contests, serenades, parties in the Plaza de San Lázaro, among other festivities.

6- Easter

Holy Week in Arequipa begins on the Thursday before Palm Sunday, which is called Passion Thursday. That day the procession of Our Lady of Dolores takes place.

It continues with Friday of Dolores, the day on which the Via Crucis takes place. This is followed by Passion Saturday, the day on which the Lord of Forgiveness Procession takes place.

The rest of the days the celebration follows the same parameters of Holy Week worldwide.

7- Burning of Judas

The burning of Judas is carried out on Easter Sunday and is a tradition that has more than half a century. It consists of creating a Judas and then burning it in the community square.

Before proceeding to burn it, the so-called will is read, where criticisms are made directed at the neighbors and the authorities who have not acted well.

8- The yaraví

It is a traditional Peruvian song that is the result of the fusion between the Spanish troubadours and the musical expressions of the Incas. At present they are sung in popular festivals.

9- The parade

The parade is a traditional dance that is usually performed to end a party or celebration. It has its origin in colonial times.

10- Arequipa Pampeña

It is a traditional dance that arose in the south of Arequipa, and those who introduced it were immigrants from the department of Puno.

References

1. 10 things to eat in Arequipa. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from expatchronicles.com
2. Peru of Living Cultures. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from peru.travel
3. Peruvian Culture. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from peru.travel
4. Arequipa: Culture. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from tripadvisor.com
5. Feasts and Festivals of Arequipa. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from go2peru.com
6. Arequipa- A city of Food, Culture and Nature. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from chimuadventures.com
7. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, discover-peru.org