Folklore and Traditions

                   AREQUIPA`S DANCES




Carnaval Arequipeño:

The carnival is a popular dance in honor of God "Momo". This dance is composed in groups of several couples with colorful clothes.

 

Wititi

Wititi means young stirred. This dance also known as wifala. 

The wititi represents the tribute to the "Pachamama", and also expresses the relationship between man and woman.

This dance also represents confrontation between young men to determine the winner, who will have the right to choose the most beautiful girl of the meeting.

Baños Termales de Yura:

It is a typical dance in the north of Arequipa. This dance shows the agricultural aspects of the area.

Pampeña Arequipeña:

The Pampeña is a type of an Andean  huayno.

Montonero Arequipeño:

The montonero is known as marinera Arequipeña.

Typical Dress

 

The typical dress worn by women of Arequipa has its own characteristics in colors, the skirt is wide and tied at the waist until half leg, a blouse with rounded collar, white straw hat and carrying a white scarf recalls the old Arequipa.

 Sports

Arequipa has a rich cultural and geographical value, so that's why, we could practice different adventure sports all the year.

There's a list about adventure sports and when its the best season to practice it:

• Rafting and Rafting in Arequipa: Practiced in the Chili River and in the Colca Canyon. It’s recommendable to practice it from May to December

• Rock climbing in Arequipa: Practiced in Calacumbos, which is so far of the city.

 

•  Jet Ski in Arequipa: Arequipa also has beautiful beaches where you could practice Jet Ski in Islay Beach and in Caraveli all the year.

 

• Paragliding and Hang Gliding in Arequipa: You could practice in the Colca Canyon all the year.

• Surf in Arequipa: Practiced in Mejia’s beach.

• Climbing and Mountaineering in Arequipa: Practiced almost in all the region: Colca Valley, Misti Volcano, Chachani Volcano, Pichu Pichu Volcano, Ampato, Sabayanca and Cotahuasi Valley.

 

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Music

Since late viceroyalty there are important academic composers like Mariano Melgar (who was best known in his role as poet), Pedro Jiménez Tirado April and Florentino Diaz is apparently coming to Arequipa one of the cities in the country with more of the best composers and musical training.

In the Republican era it includes Manuel Aguirre, who assimilated the teachings of Chopin and Schuman to give them some melanconlia and simplicity to his music. Similarly, Luis Duncker Lavalle-a master pianist who can speak both academic folk-music as Octavio Polar, Manuel Aguirre, David H. Molina, who spread his orchestral works with the Association of Arequipa and Aurelio Diaz Espinoza who was author of the Hymn of Arequipa. Also, with a more modernist highlights Carlos Sanchez Malaga. Later in the twentieth century include Roberto Ramirez-Ortiz Zevallos, Roberto Carpio Valdez, Juan Francisco Ballon Ballon, Armando Sanchez-Málaga and Benigno Ballón Farfán González, author of numerous yaravíes, sailors and popular waltz Melgar.

Traditions

Unlike other regions of Peru, Arequipa is known for its customs and its strong mestizo identity.

• Popular Speech:The region has its own accent arequipa mestizo wich has become a common practice and typical sayings and proverbs.

• Bullfights:One of the most peculiar habits and characteristics of Arequipa is the bull fights. Currently the central date for this type of event is August 15, the anniversary of the Spanish foundation of the city.

 

• The Arequipeña Easter: For Easter, there is a rich set of celebrations, following the pattern dictated by the city of El Misti, such as are met in all areas of the department. During that week, the streets, the religious festival is complemented by tasting biscuits, sweets Creoles and buying craft devotional objects.

Calendar of Activities

• Febreuary: 1 - 4 Virgen del Buen Paso. Caravelí Patron. Eve with fireworks and processions. Large and colorful bullfighters, professionals and spontaneous billfighting. Cockfighting. De paso Horse Parades.
• Second Half: Carnival Arequipa. Election of the Carnival Queen, parade floats and folk dancing contest.

 

• March - April: Variable date Easter. Especially Friday is celebrated with great pomp and peculiarity. There are processions with "hooded" Seville style (Spain). The people in these days wearing mourning and is dedicated to pray and do penance. A procession every day. Sale of different types of porridge and seafood broth.

 

• May: 1st. - Virgen de Chapi. Pilgrimages to the shrine which is 45 km from the city. Tourists and devotees come from Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Sale of the famous "Omate breads", greaves and a variety of fruits. Processions and masses. Sales of candles made by unique artisans.

• June: 1 - 3. - Corpus Christi. Huge processions of crosses coming from all districts. Chaired by the effigy of San Pedro through the streets of the city. Dancers walk the streets drinking liquor.  

 

• August: 15. - Anniversary of Arequipa and Our Lady of the Assumption. Civic-religious party. Parades of floats and queen election. Processions, fireworks, social dances, bazaars.
  30. - Santa Rosa. Holiday typically religious. Masses and processions. It is a colorful festival as churches are lavishly trimmed with flowers and ornaments varied. It is celebrated with great pomp in Huancarqui (Castilla).  

• September: August. - Virgin of the Rocks. Great display of folklore especially in Aplao. Processions and burning castles and fireworks. Stewards to be concluded next year party gather at the door of the church and receive the position of the hands of the stewards who have celebrated the holiday. Festivals and sporting contests. 

• October: Last week. - Arequipa Tourist Week. Celebrations of the "bus". Agricultural and crafts shows.