Bajada de los Reyes Festival Closely related to Christmas, the popular Spanish festivity known in Spain as “Dia de los Reyes magos” on the 6th of January is also widely celebrated in towns across the Andes. The celebration marks The Epiphany, which sees the visit of the three wise men, or the three kings, to the birthplace of Jesus. In Spain many families celebrate by giving gifts, much as the wise men did to the baby Jesus. The Ephiphany Celebrations As with many celebrations in the Andes, the celebration of “Dia de los Reyes magos” incorporates both native and colonial traditions alike. In pre-Columbian times, January was a very important month; being the height of the rainy season it brought water vital for growing crops, and joyous festivities marked the occasion. These celebrations subsequently became incorporated with the celebration of “Dia de los Reyes magos” that was introduced by the Spanish when they arrived in Peru; apart from anything else, there was the resemblence of giving gifts, much as the the rains gave the gift of nourishment and sustainance. Celebrating bajada de los Reyes festival in Ollantaytambo One of the biggest celebrations of the day is in the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Known as the Bajada de Reyes de Ollantaytambo, the occasion is marked with a colourful procession of El Niño Jesús de Marcacocha - the baby jesus from the church of Marcacocha - which is brought from the valley of Patakancha to Ollantaytambo on the day before, the 5th of January. Locals from communities in the surrounding hills and valleys descend on the town with the effigy of Jesus to take part in the festivities, which begin on the 5th and last throughout the night. Traditional Dancing On the 6th there is a full day of
Bajada de los Reyes Festival Closely related to Christmas, the popular Spanish festivity known in Spain as “Dia de los Reyes magos” on the 6th of January is also widely celebrated in towns across the Andes. The celebration marks The Epiphany, which sees the visit of the three wise…
Today the Aracari team paid a visit to a new handicrafts store in the Barranco neighbourhood of Lima; Casa Allpa. Featuring a wide range of high-quality handmade goods, such as ceramics, textiles and jewellery, Casa Allpa merges traditional handicraft techniques with sophisticated and innovative contemporary design. Natural materials are used in the wares, with baby Alpaca featuring prominently in the garments for sale. Although Casa Allpa have been export wholesalers to top department stores in Europe and North America for 25 years, this store in Barranco marks the first outlet for their products in Peru. The store opened on December 1st and has been very popular with local Barranquinos shopping over the Christmas period. The company works directly with artisans from across the country, generating new jobs and ensuring that artists recieve a fair wage for the work; the shop is also a part of the World Fair Trade Organisation. You can find out more on the Casa Allpa Facebook page, or visit the store on Jr. Centenario 195, Barranco. It is a part of a recently developed complex in Barranco featuring a range of shops, restaurants and cafes.
Today the Aracari team paid a visit to a new handicrafts store in the Barranco neighbourhood of Lima; Casa Allpa. Featuring a wide range of high-quality handmade goods, such as ceramics, textiles and jewellery, Casa Allpa merges traditional handicraft techniques with sophisticated and innovative contemporary design. Natural materials are used…
Aracari's Weekly Insight The Question: How did the Incas celebrate New Year? The Answer: Despite the distinct lack of fireworks, staying up til 12 Oclock and renditions of Auld Lang Syne, the Inca celebration of the new year - over the winter equinox in June - was a very important event in their calendar. Not least of all, the equinox marked the return of the sun from its farthest position from the earth and the beginning of longer days. Observing the Sun Huge importance was placed on the movement of the sun in Inca times, and it was the most significant god in the pantheon of Andean religion. The Incas and cultures before them tracked the movement of the sun using sophisticated measuring devices in the form of stone pillars. They placed pillars in exactly the position where the sun rose and set on the shortest days of the year – from the 21st to the 24th of June. Marking the winter equinox, the colourful spectacle “Inti Raymi” in the city of Cusco, or “festival of the sun”, is thought to have been one of the most important rituals in the Inca Empire, with celebrations lasting for as much as nine days. The ceremony was doused in rituals, which are believed to have entailed the Inca drinking Chicha de Jora – a type of drink derived from maize – to honour the sun. Ceremonies were held in the main plaza of Cusco, where pilgrims from across the empire would assemble. There was also much merriments in the form of feasting, drinking and dancing. Despite clandestine ceremonies taking place during the Spanish conquest, Inti Raymi was completely prohibited by Viceroy Francisco de Toledo in 1572 as a pagan ceremony opposed to Catholicism. Nevertheless, since the 1940’s, a theatrical representation has taken
Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: How did the Incas celebrate New Year? The Answer: Despite the distinct lack of fireworks, staying up til 12 Oclock and renditions of Auld Lang Syne, the Inca celebration of the new year – over the winter equinox in June – was a very important…
Responsible Travel Peru: Aracari sponsors Soccer team In line with our commitment to supporting communities in Peru, Aracari is sponsoring a football (soccer) team from the community of Huayllabamba in the Cusco region. Libio - the chef for our adventure, trekking and camping trips - hails from the community, along with some of our trekking porters, and so we decided to provide some snazzy new football strips for their local team. Let's hope the new look sends them to the top of the league! Read more about Aracari's responsible travel Peru initiatives.
Responsible Travel Peru: Aracari sponsors Soccer team In line with our commitment to supporting communities in Peru, Aracari is sponsoring a football (soccer) team from the community of Huayllabamba in the Cusco region. Libio – the chef for our adventure, trekking and camping trips – hails from the community, along…
Taller Huaringa, the studio of Lima artist Maricruz Arribas, uses only recyclable materials to create a fantastic array of artwork. Taller Huaringa Lima When we visited today, Carlos and I were given a privileged peak at the studio, which has opened its doors for two days this week in the run up to Christmas. Beginning as a hobby, Maricruz has developed her passion for recycling unused objects into a profession, dedicating her work to breathing new life into disposed of and forgotten materials. She takes what could be considered by many to be "mundane" and "boring" objects and transforms them, turning them into excting and vibrant works of contemporary art. “The materials come from all over,” Maricruz told us “mostly from old houses that are about to be demolished … every time I enter such a house, firstly I cry,” she explained to us. “Then I go about frantically trying to salvage anything that can be used in my artwork.” "Often when I pick up a disused item I have no idea what I will do with it. Then, when I take it back to the studio, ideas begin to formulate ..." The very name Huaringa is derived from a place in northern Peru, near to Maricruz’s home town of Piura, where witches are purported to have gathered. “I chose this name because witches transform things, much as I do with my own work.” On our tour of the studio, Maricruz showed us an array of artwork, ranging from sculptures crafted from old furniture, teddy bears made from burlap sacks, to flowers and ornaments made from twisted glass bottles. The works have gone on exhibition in Peru’s top galleries and have featured in international contemporary art exhibitions also. Maricruz currently features in a collective exhibition at the Lima Museum of
Taller Huaringa, the studio of Lima artist Maricruz Arribas, uses only recyclable materials to create a fantastic array of artwork. Taller Huaringa Lima When we visited today, Carlos and I were given a privileged peak at the studio, which has opened its doors for two days this week in the…
Hearts Cafe Ollantaytambo UK and Peru registered NGO Living Heart is associated with social enterprise Hearts Café Ollantaytambo on the main square of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Quality Food at Hearts Cafe Ollantaytambo Meals at the café are not gourmet, rather they constitute great quality comfort food. All of the food is very delicious and made from good quality ingredients, most of which grown locally. There are a whole array of interesting options, some of which are not always available in Peru. Creating local employment All of the staff in the café are people who previously suffered from domestic abuse, and who are now offered work and shelter by the NGO. All of the profits go towards the projects that the NGO is involved with. As well as highly encouraging travellers to stop by the cafe, it is possible for our guests to arrange a visit with Sonia Newhouse to discuss the work of Living Heart in full. Please contact us for more details. Supporting Andean Communities The NGO Living Heart works with five highland communities in the Sacred Valley, offering a wide variety of vital support. The founder of the NGO is Sonia Newhouse, an English woman in her early 80s, who has dedicated the last decade of her life to helping local communities. Amongst other support, Living Heart provides educational supplies and learning materials to children; they organise volunteer art teachers and theatre classes for children; they provide nutritional diets to younger children and abandoned elderly people; they offer family planning advice and contraception; and they work with small scale water purification and elimination of risk from water borne parasites. Although Living Heart does not disclose which communities they work with in order that they can remain protected and undisturbed by outside visitors, travellers can visit Heart's Café
Hearts Cafe Ollantaytambo UK and Peru registered NGO Living Heart is associated with social enterprise Hearts Café Ollantaytambo on the main square of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Quality Food at Hearts Cafe Ollantaytambo Meals at the café are not gourmet, rather they constitute great quality comfort food. All of the…
