Christmas in Peru

Unlike many countries where families gather to celebrate on the 25^th, Peru’s tradition sees families gathering the night of December 24th to wait for midnight, have a nice dinner, exchange hugs, good wishes, and of course, presents.  Christmas dinner in Peru usually consists of baked turkey or pork, apple sauce, two or three varieties of salads, Arabic rice (rice cooked with noodles and coca-cola), a couple of light desserts and the traditional hot chocolate and panetón (a big, licorice-flavored muffin with raisins and candied fruit). And of course, lots of champagne and wine!

Christmas also brings original, unique celebrations to the Andes. In the community of San Pablo, located in the high Andes between Cusco and Puno, the ‘Carrera de Reyes’ (Race of the Magic Kings: Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar) is celebrated. The names of these kings have been localized and changed to Inkarri, Mistirri and Negrorri (Inca king, creole king and black king) and the three compete in a horse race. The future of the region is decided based on the outcome of the race:

If Inkarri (representing the valleys in Cusco) wins, it will be a great year for the harvest.

If Mistirr (representing the ‘altiplano’ above 4000 meters above sea level) wins, this cattle raising region will have a good year.

If Negrorri wins, neither the altiplano nor the valleys will have a good year.

However, nobody loses in this tradition: if Negrorri wins, they say it may be a bad year for harvests and cattle raising, but money will be around anyway!

This article was posted by Andrea Tello, our editor in Peru

Comments

[Tiffany co]

If Negrorri wins, neither the altiplano nor the valleys will have a good year.