UJ #17 - Traditional Peru

OCTOBER | MONTH OF THE LORD OF THE MIRACLES
Lima is in constant growth, offering visitors more exciting
adventures as each day passes; from gorgeous views of
the Pacific Ocean, to luxury restaurants considered some
of the best in the world. It is amidst this modern whirlwind
that the city manages to maintain some of its oldest
traditions that date back to Colonial times. Today, many
of these traditions have turned into cultural symbols that
identify the city and those who live within it.
In October of each year, the streets of Lima turn purple. The
city slows down, as coloured balloons begin to appear in the
plazas, the aroma of anticuchos fills the air, and the sweet
taste of the ‘turron de Doña Pepa’ reappears. Meanwhile,
church incense burners emit their white, pungent smoke
and the choirs sing hymns that reach the soul. Each October,
the Lord of the Miracles is taken out into the streets followed
by thousands of devotees from all over the world.
The story of the Lord of the Miracles dates back to 1651,
when black slaves were being brought into Peru to work
as peons, guards, or servants in affluent homes. Looking
for a place to convene and connect after work hours, the
Angolan slaves formed a brotherhood, and would come
together in an abandoned warehouse in Pachacamilla,
outside of what is now the Historic Centre of Lima. At
some point during these meetings, one of the attendees
painted an image of Christ crucified on the cross on one
of the adobe walls of this space.
What could have been passed off as a simple depiction
soon became the object of worship, after an earthquake
devastated Lima and Callao in 1655. Thousands of
people were affected and hundreds of homes destroyed,
including the warehouse. However, in its case, all but one
wall collapsed, leaving the image of Christ standing and
intact. The word soon spread, and people quickly began
to come and see the wall that had been protected by Jesus
Christ, bringing with them their prayers and offerings.
BESIDES THE MAIN BROTHERHOOD
IN PERU, SUB GROUPS HAVE
ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES IN 260
OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE WORLD,
AND PROCESSIONS ARE HELD IN THE
UNITED STATES, ITALY, GERMANY, CHILE,
FRANCE, SWITZERLAND, SPAIN, ETC.
The Lord of
the Miracles
procession
accompanied by
incense burners, in
Lima’s Plaza Mayor.
Walter Silvera / PromPerú
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