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Christmas
Early Peruvians immediately identified with the festival of Christmas due to the rural nature of the nativity story, where the baby Jesus was born in a barn.
Andean Christmases began taking on characteristics of their own, and it is probably the most important celebration of the year.
Cusco's Plaza de Armas is decorated with nativity animals in lights from about the 10th of December and the whole city takes on a festive air.
The Andean people put together Nativity scenes in churches and homes, perform dances and plays, and cook typical dishes. Most families buy the pieces for their nativity scenes at the fascinating market of Santurantikuy, (the buying of the saints), held in the Plaza de Armas on the 24th December.
Campesinos (farm people) also sell plants and mosses, used in the traditional nacimientos (see picture right) Families will keep their nativity scenes until the until la Bajada de los Reyes (the arrival of the three wise men) on January 6.
You can go from church to church in the week preceding Christmas to see the different nacimientos and also hear church choirs.
In Cusco, Christmas Eve (known as Noche Buena) is when families get together and celebrate and exchange gifts. Well off families, eat turkey, while for many others chicken suffices. Paneton (a cake/bread filled with fruits) is very popular as are hot drinks of chocolate. In the week preceding Christmas, it is also popular for communities, churches or organisations to organise "chocolatadas" where people who are better off make a Christmas gesture to poor children by offering them a cup of hot chocolate and perhaps a small gift. The lines for chocolatadas are a distinct feature of Christmas in Cusco.
Many poor families come to Cusco and sleep on the streets for several days, in order to be able to attend Chocolatadas.
Christmas in Cusco has also many features common to those from the west: Christmas trees and the face of Santa Claus or Father Christmas.
See Go South America Christmas in Cuzco
Chocolatadas
A distinct aspect of Christmas in Peru is the "chocolatada" where better off people or organisations offer a bit of Christmas cheer to poor children or pensioners. A chocolatada is often organised by churches, businesses or shops and are characterised by giving a cup of hot chocolate, some bread or biscocho (a sweet bread with dried fruits inside), some sweets or maybe a toy.
Visit of the Wise Men (Epiphany) January 6th
This is a ceremony in the Andean villages dating back to the pre-Hispanic era to commemorate the assumption of power by the highest authority, or Varayoc, who receives a scepter from his predecessor symbolizing power. The scepters, made of native wood species such as tucuma, black hualtaco (tagetes minuta), huallacán or quince, measure approximately one meter in length and have silver and gold inlays.
Epiphany, (or the Visit of the Wise Men) coincides with the taking of power of the Varayoc whose authority is given to his successor with a silver-tipped staff as a symbol. There is a procession in which two images, The Christ Child and San Isidro the farmer are walked around the city. A bullfight takes place in the afternoon.
In the Cusco region, the Visit of the Wise Men is particularly interesting in Ollantaytambo.
Do you want to have a unique peruvian Christmas and New year period? Check out our Christmas in Peru packages.
Do you want to have an unforgettable trek to Machu Picchu while participating in a Christmas Chocolatada en route? Check out our Chocolatada trek
