we support responsible, sustainable and ethical tourism...

Santikuraray/Santurantikuy

"buying the saints" or "saints for sale"

On December 24th, hundreds of artisans coming to Cusco from the surrounding area to lay their blankets (mantas) on the sidewalks -a custom in traditional Andean fairs- and sell carved Nativity handicrafts.

Held in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, Santuranticuy is a temporary market whose origins go back to the days of the Spanish Vice-royalty. Today it’s one of the largest arts-and-crafts fairs in the country.

The central figure of the Christmas fair is the Niño Manuelito, the Andean version of the newborn Jesus. Besides the baby Manuelito, you’ll find the other Nativity figures -all with an Andean touch-, as well as saint’s images. Much appreciated are the boxed scenes, known as Retablos, whose small figurines can represent almost every aspect of live, secular or sacred, though for the occasion you’ll almost only find Nativity scenes.

Although the fair started as a Christmas specific market, over the years it expanded to include other goods. At night, street vendors sell a traditional hot and sweet rum punch called ponche, to warm up chilly visitors.

Campesinos (farm people) also sell plants and mosses, used in the traditional nacimientos on all the main streets around the Plaza.

{

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru.

travel * adventure* discovery*textiles*experience* dream* eat* sleep* music* hikes* fiestas* apus peru