Festivals+and+Holidays+in+Peru

=__ Festivals and Holidays in Peru __=

__ Inti Raymi __

Inti Raymi is celebrated on June 24th. It honors the Inca God of the Sun, and takes place at the Ruins of Sacsahuaman. During this ceremony, two llamas are sacrificed.



= = = = __ Corpus Christi __

Corpus Christi takes used to take place throughout Peru, but now mostly takes place in Cusco. 15 saints come to the Cathedral of Cusco from different places to greet the body of Christ. This celebration takes place sixty days after Eastern Sunday, and lasts for seven days.



__ The Lord of the Earthquakes __

This holiday celebrates the time when an oil painting of Christ was said to have held off an

earthquake in Cuzco. It is held on Easter Monday. The Painting is kept in the Cuzco Cathedral. A crown of ñucchu flowers is given to a statue of Christ.



__All Souls Day__

This day is dedicated to the memory of the dead. People attend mass, and then go to the cemeteries to bring flowers to and share food with loved ones that have passed. On this day in La Arena, people bring their children to the town square. People who have lost a young child also come, and if they see a child that looks like their relative, they give them "angels," which are bags of candies.



__The Virgin of Mamacha Carmen__

This festival is takes place in the town of Paucartambo, and celebrates Mamacha Carmen. Mamacha Carmen was the patron saint of the Mestizo people. The festival takes place in the main square, where there is music, and dances that portray Peruvian history. This celebration last for five days, and on the main day, Mamacha Carmen is said to come and bless the people, and to scare away demons.