Guillermo Ganoza, the father of Marcela Ganoza Bombieri- a dear friend of Aracari- is credited with saving the marinera dance and elevating its status in Peru to the country’s national dance. Ahead of her anticipated book with world-renowned photographer Mario Testino, Aracari spoke to Marcela about the marinera dance and her father’s role in reviving this Peruvian tradition. Dancing the Marinera: Peru’s Famous National Dance Aracari: How would you describe the marinera dance to someone who has never seen it? Marcela: The marinera is a courtship dance. It involves a couple who dance around each other, initially at a distance, flirting and getting to know one another. Dancers wear traditional outfits and typically hold white handkerchiefs as they move. It’s the job of the male, who has fallen hopelessly in love, to win over his partner’s affections. As the love story progresses the couple dance more closely and more quickly together until the climatic point of the dance is reached, and the duo finally dance together. Today, the Pope and heads of state will all receive a display of the marinera whenever they visit my country. As a Peruvian and as my father’s daughter, it makes me incredibly proud to see the marinera celebrated as a most important symbol of Peru. Aracari: Why is the marinera so important to Peruvians? Marcela: The dance connects Peruvians to their ancestors. It has become a feature of our cultural identity. Until sixty years ago, few Peruvians knew how to dance the traditional marinera. It was passed down to us by people like my grandmother, Doña Hortencia. Each year on her birthday she would host a party at the family’s hacienda near Moche and dance the marinera for her guests. All my older cousins and family friends learned by watching her. Unfortunately, I never
Guillermo Ganoza, the father of Marcela Ganoza Bombieri- a dear friend of Aracari- is credited with saving the marinera dance and elevating its status in Peru to the country’s national dance. Ahead of her anticipated book with world-renowned photographer Mario Testino, Aracari spoke to Marcela about the marinera dance and…
Easter may be observed across the globe, but nobody celebrates it quite like the communities of the Andes. Easter in Peru, commonly known as Holy Week (Semana Santa), offers a time for many sacred events and celebrations throughout the Andes. Friends and family gather together, and many attend church to mark the occasion. Others embrace the national holidays of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (the Thursday and Friday before Easter) as opportunities to get out to parks or landmarks and enjoy in their days off. Ever since Catholicism was brought to Peru by Spanish since the XVI century, the Andes have had a complex (and beautiful) approach to religion. When the Spanish arrived, indigenous Andean communities already had their own established religious beliefs and practices, many of which became a part of their newfound Catholicism. Today, the result is a syncretic relationship between Catholicism and indigenous beliefs, blended into a unique approach to faith. No time is this syncretic relationship more apparent than during Holy Week, when native religion and Catholic rituals are brought to the forefront through commemorations and unique Peru Easter traditions. Holy Week represents the most important days of the year in the Catholic calendar. Easter Sunday, the day that concludes Holy Week, is meant to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Holy Week itself also includes important holidays: Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, honors the Last Supper, and Good Friday is a somber day that reflects on Christ’s crucifixion. In many parts of Latin America, Semana Santa is an especially treasured time of year. In the Andes, you’ll find all kinds of special Peru Easter traditions worth traveling for, and thousands of visitors will join locals in the cities that most love to celebrate. The most important Easter in Peru traditions Here’s where to
Easter may be observed across the globe, but nobody celebrates it quite like the communities of the Andes. Easter in Peru, commonly known as Holy Week (Semana Santa), offers a time for many sacred events and celebrations throughout the Andes. Friends and family gather together, and many attend church to…
