Festivity: Virgen de la Candelaria

Departament: Puno

Date: 2

Place: Puno

Description: During 18 days faithful and dancers worship the Virgen de la Candelaria in the church of San Juan. The cult, is possibly associated with the pre-Hispanic ritual to the Mama Pacha or Mother Earth. The catholic origins of this demonstration of Andean faith, go back to the XVI century. The celebration begins nine days before, when the butlers fix the temple and organise three masses with banquets and fireworks. The central day, 2 of February, the Virgen de la Candelaria leaves the temple to cross the streets in an unimaginable frame of folkloric demonstrations.

---

Festivity: Carnivals

Departament: All country

Date: Variable

Place:

Description: The Cajamarca Carnival is, perhaps, the most representative of the country, having acquired very singular characteristics and a specific organisation. It is made with very typical expressions and the participation of institutions, districts, etc. The celebration lasts a month approximately, but the central days are reduced to 8. In cities like Huánuco, Ayacucho, and Abancay, the carnivals are also very colorful, with dances and parades with groups of people masked and costumed.

---

Festivity: Huacachina Mermaid Festival

Departament: Ica

Date: 24

Place: Ica (Huacachina

Description: The legend of the Huacachina is represented with shows, artisan, wine-growing and gastronomical fairs, costume dances and others.

---

Festivity: Verano Negro Festival

Departament: Ica

Date: Variable

Place: El Carmen - Chincha

Description: This festival starts up as a result of the ethnic essence that still stays in this zone. At El Carmen arrived slaves coming from all Africa, who conserved their own customs, which were melted and originates the "afroperuvian dance".