UJ #17 - Traditional Peru

JULY | FESTIVITY OF THE VIRGEN DEL
CARMEN OF PAUCARTAMBO
Diego del Río
Peru’s religious festivities are one of a kind. Formally
honouring the people’s devotion in a jubilant affair,
these events bring thousands of devotees together to
rejoice in their shared faith and pay homage to their
patron saints.
The fiesta of the Virgen del Carmen, held in Paucartambo, is
one of Cusco’s biggest celebrations. Unlike the pilgrimage
of the Lord of Qoylloriti, where mysticism and physical
demands prevail, this celebration brings the colonial town
of Paucartambo to a joyous halt for four days.
Diego del Río
There are two stories behind the origin of the devotion
for the Virgen del Carmen, both of which hail from the XVII
IN 1985, PAUCARTAMBO’S VIRGEN DEL
CARMEN TRAVELLED TO CUSCO DURING
THE VISIT OF POPE JOHN PAUL II. THE
IMAGE WAS CROWNED BY THE VERY
POPE IN A CEREMONY PERFORMED
IN THE ESPLANADE OF THE RUINS OF
SACSAYHUAMAN.
The small town
of Paucartambo
surrenders itself
to the ‘Mamacha.’
On the 15th of July, the town bells ring, marking the
beginning of the festivities. That same night, during the
qonoyo bonfire, the dancers from the Q’olqa, Chunchu, and
Maqta dance troupes – who together represent purgatory –
show off their dancing and acrobatic skills. Then, the other
Diego del Río
The anxious
devotees
eagerly wait
for the Virgen
del Carmen’s
plinth to exit
the church.
Century. The first version recounts that an effigy of the
Virgin was sent from Spain to the district of Kosñipata,
so that the people of this area could adopt her as their
patron. As it made its way, however, the effigy was set
down in the town of Paucartambo, upon which the
local landowners gathered with prayers and offerings,
enticing her to stay. In the other version, the qollas or
traders who traversed the route between Paucartambo
and Kosñipata discovered the Virgin’s face in bas-relief
within a clay pot. The image was then sculpted by local
artists in remembrance of the discovery.
48
A saqra hiding
out on a rooftop.