THE 5 MOST POPULAR CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF TACNA - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The main customs and traditions of Tacna include the adoration of all the dead, carnivals, the walk of the Peruvian flag, the tradition of the May crosses and the adoration of the Lord of Locumba.

The department of Tacna, one of the twenty-four that make up the Republic of Peru, is characterized by its multiple traditions, product of the mixture between Spanish customs and the Catholic religion with the cultural background of the American aborigines.

Tacna, name of Quechua origin, was founded in 1855 and is located in southern Peru, bordering Puno, Moquegua, Chile, Bolivia and the Pacific Ocean.

You may also be interested in the history of Tacna.

The 5 most representative traditions of Tacna

1- Adoration of all the dead

It is celebrated the first two days of November. Tradition dictates that banquets be prepared in homes with the deceased's favorite foods and beverages.

According to the belief, on November 1 at noon the deceased returns to his home while he is alive to contemplate the offerings made by his relatives.

In addition to this entertainment that is carried out in the houses, the relatives visit the cemeteries, which are decorated with multiple flowers, meals and musical groups are carried out to interpret tunes to the dead.

2- Celebration of carnivals

These festivities occupy the months of February and March throughout the department of Tacna. The inhabitants of this region enjoy performing comparsas, tarkadas and lurihuayos on weekends in different parts of the city.

It is the time of year when the old customs and traditions of the department are most commemorated and practiced: from its ancient songs and dances to the clothing, which for centuries distinguished the community of Tacna.

3- Walk of the flag of Peru

The walk of the flag of Peru is the highest act of exaltation of the patriotism of the department of Tacna, since it commemorates the return of the region to Peruvian territory after fifty years of permanence under Chilean rule.

This commemorative act takes place every August 28. Fifty ladies and fifty girls from Tacna carry a huge flag of Peru through various streets of the city of Tacna, escorted by knights and hundreds of citizens.

4- The crosses of May

This tradition linked to Catholicism and established by the Spanish Conquest, consists of moving all the crosses from the department of Tacna to the cathedral to be blessed by the bishop of the diocese.

After this blessing, the celebrations begin that extend throughout the month of May. These include dances, comparsas, and some offerings from indigenous practices, such as the so-called payment to the Earth.

5- The adoration of the Lord of Locumba

The Lord of Locumba is worshiped by the Catholic settlers of the department of Tacna every year on September 16 since 1776.

According to legend, that day the image of Jesus Christ nailed to three points of the cross appears to a landowner in the region, who kept the image in Villa Locumba; that's where its name comes from.

According to tradition, many parishioners go on pilgrimage to the sanctuary where the Lord of Locumba is located, since he is considered the patron of all Tacna and the main miracle worker.

References

1. Espinoza, H. (2001). Notes for a general inventory of traditional festivals in Peru. Retrieved on November 25, 2017 from: cultura.gob.pe
2. Murua, M; Gaibrois, M. (1987). General history of Peru. Retrieved on November 22, 2017 from: espeleokandil.org
3. Queija, B. (1984). The dances of the Indians: a way for the evangelization of the viceroyalty of Peru. Madrid: Magazine of the Indies. Retrieved on November 22, 2017 from: search.proquest.com
4. Tacna customs. Retrieved on November 25, 2017 from: cultura.gob.pe
5. Tacna. Retrieved on November 22, 2017 from: es.wikipedia.org