Santikuraray / Santurantikuy

"Buying the Saints" or "Saints for Sale"

On December 24th, hundreds of artisans come 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.

As it is held only once a year - the day before Christmas - there is a air of expectant excitement around the fair, as everyone prepares for Noche Buena (the night of the 24th December)

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.

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