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All Saints Day (Todos los Santos ) November 1 & 2

The beginning of this celebration is on November 1st with the Day of the Living. Relatives and friends get together to enjoy the typical meal called lechon (roasted pork) with tamales. The Day of the Dead is on the 2nd of November and everybody visits the cemetery and takes gifts to the family members who passed away. Peruvians tend to attend Mass and then head to the cemetery, bringing flowers and food to share symbolically with the souls of the dead. At night, the relatives hold a candlelight vigil in the cemetery until dawn on November 2. The worship of the dead was a integral part of Inca culture (the mummies of the dead Incas were present at all important rituals) and part of that tradition, combined with Christian elements, still lives on today. Breadrolls also play an important part in the tradition - they are shaped like horses (caballitos) and babies or dolls (called t'anta wawas).
Given the sensitive and symbolic nature of this holiday, this isn't generally of interest to the tourists, but they may see the interesting bread for sale and wonder what it is all about!

caballitos and tan'ta wawas

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.

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