THE 5 MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF AYACUCHO - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The customs and traditions of Ayacucho are closely related to the predominant Catholic religion throughout the country. Its festivities have a strong spiritual component, highlighting among these Holy Week, Carnival and Christmas in Ayacucho.

Ayacucho is a Peruvian city, capital of the Huamanga province. It is located in the eastern part of the Andes mountain range. It has a very mild climate all year round and is known as the "city of churches" and the "stately city".

Due to the great importance of the Catholic religion in the city, there are more than 30 churches of very different styles. Its Holy Week was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation, and is considered the second most important in the world.

The 5 most important traditions of Ayacucho

1- Easter

Ayacucho Holy Week is one of the most important religious festivals in all of Peru, and the second largest of its kind in the world. On this festival the passion and death of Christ are celebrated.

Every year tens of thousands of tourists travel to Ayacucho to participate in the festivities, especially from other parts of the country.

The festivities last a week: from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

During the festivities, folk dances, celebrations and processions take place throughout the city.

It is also possible to find other types of events during these days, such as festivals or craft fairs.

2- Carnival

Another of the most important festivities in Ayacucho is the Ayacucho Carnival. It takes place over three days in February, and its importance is so great that it was declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation.

During these days the city is filled with comparsas, music and dances, as well as people in costumes and different types of celebrations. During Carnival it is possible to observe various folk dances.

This festival is a mixture of traditions imported from Europe during the Conquest, and those originating from the indigenous peoples of the region of Peru.

3- Anniversary of the foundation of Ayacucho

On April 25 the founding of the city of Ayacucho is celebrated. During this day different types of events take place throughout the city, such as contests, craft and gastronomic fairs, sporting events, among others.

In addition, it is also possible to observe during this festival different types of traditional dances and parades.

One of the most typical of this day is the Gachwa of mills, a dance of agricultural origin that is still practiced today.

4- Tribute to American Freedom

This festival has its origin in the Battle of Ayacucho, a turning point in the war for the independence of Peru.

Although it is celebrated throughout the country, this festival is especially important in the city of Ayacucho.

This holiday is part of American Freedom Week, which has December 9 as its central day.

One of the most important celebrations of this day is the International Guitar Festival, in which traditional Peruvian music can be heard.

The representations of the battle in commemoration of those who fell during it also stand out.

5- Yaku Raymi

This festival, whose name means "water festival" in Quechua, is celebrated on August 24 and 25 in various towns in Ayacucho.

Originally, the festival was about cleaning the ditches before the rainy season in order to make the most of the water.

During this festivity the town pays homage to the god of water, with the popular belief that doing so will bring them a good rainy season.

Throughout the district you can see typical dances, fairs and stage performances of all kinds.

References

1. "Ayacucho" in: Wikipedia. Retrieved on: December 12, 2017 from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org
2. "Holy Week in Ayacucho" in: Go2Peru. Retrieved on: December 12, 2017 from Go2Peru: go2peru.com
3. "Carnival of Ayacucho" in: Wikipedia. Retrieved on: December 12, 2017 from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org
4. "Tribute to American Freedom in Ayacucho" in: Peru Tourism. Retrieved on: December 12, 2017 from Tourism Peru: turismoi.pe
5. "Anniversary of the Spanish Foundation of Huamanga in Ayacucho" in: Peru Tourism. Retrieved on: December 12, 2017 from Tourism Peru: turismoi.pe
6. "Yaku Raymi in Ayacucho" in: Tourism Peru. Retrieved on: December 12, 2017 from Tourism Peru: turismoi.pe