This semester, five students in the Peru SST program are providing service in Ayacucho, a city of about 151,000 in the south-central Andes of the country. Ayacucho is famous for its 33 Catholic churches, which are said to represent one for each year of Jesus’ life.
Because of its substantial Catholic population, Ayacucho has large religious celebrations, most importantly during Semana Santa (Holy Week of Easter). No public celebration in the city can compare to Semana Santa, which draws tens of thousands of visitors from throughout the world. Still, Ayacucho’s Carnaval (Carnival) celebration also has many fans, including Goshen’s students.
A large group of women sing and dance their way by the Plaza de Armas.
This year, Aimee, Gretchen, Jake, Jonathan and Thomas and Peru SST Co-Directors Richard R. Aguirre and Judy Weaver got a chance to experience Carnaval, a pre-Lenten celebration similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Students watched colorful parades and participated in two other traditions – sprinkling water and talcum powder on other revelers.
Aimee poses with her host mother, Luz Ayala Gonzales, and her host brother, Jesus.
Parades were the highlight of carnaval this year – as always. Residents of Ayacucho and the surrounding area form large groups (known as comparsas) of dancers as well as musicians, who play guitars, flutes, accordions and drums. As many as 250 group members develop and practice unique songs and coordinated dance steps. They then put on traditional Andean costumes and parade around town, eventually ending up in the Plaza de Armas, where they are greeted by cheering crowds. Also drawing huge crowds on the final day of the carnival is the entry into the main plaza of the Ño Carnavalon, a large effigy said to represent the spirit of the carnival.
A young dancer smiles for the appreciative crowd.
The Ayacucho carnival has been declared part of the country’s cultural heritage by Peru’s National Institute of Culture because of its originality and vivid representation of Andean creativity. An estimated 15,000 domestic and foreign tourists attended this year’s festivities, which ran from March 1-5.
The Ño Carnavalon, a large effigy said to represent the spirit of the carnival, is driven through the Plaza de Armas.
This blog posts includes some images from this year’s colorful and festive Ayacucho Carnaval.
A comparsa, a group of singing dancers accompanied by musicians, moves along the Plaza de Armas in Ayacucho for the carnival celebration. Some groups have as many as 200 members.A banner on a light post advertises the carnival celebration.A group of musicians prepares to join a carnival parade.Three dancers walk toward their group for a carnival parade.Two men carry a retablo, a type of cabinet which contains pottery figures, down an Ayacucho street.A large group of women sing and dance their way by the Plaza de Armas.Dancers swirl their way down a street by the main plaza. They are carrying containers of talcum powder to sprinkle on spectators – a carnival tradition in Peru.Musicians follow the dancers and play traditional Andean songs.A musician carrying a large horn walks down the street.Aimee poses with her host mother, Luz Ayala Gonzales, and her host brother, Jesus.A carnival troupe, imitating workers, sing a rowdy carnival song.Dancers wear colorful costumes during carnival in Ayacucho.More musicians, some doused with talcum powder, walk down the street.Two musicians, their faces sprinkled with talcum powder, play for the crowd.More dancers, who have had powder sprinkled on their faces, move in unison down the street.A young dancer smiles for the appreciative crowd.The Ño Carnavalon, a large effigy said to represent the spirit of the carnival, is driven down the street. It is accompanied by oddball dancers.Dancers said to represent stereotypical figures accompany the Ño Carnavalon, a large effigy said to represent the spirit of the carnival.The Ño Carnavalon, a large effigy said to represent the spirit of the carnival, is driven through the Plaza de Armas.The Ño Carnavalon, a large effigy, is driven past the Ayacucho cathedral.Another group of singing dancers and musicians moves down the street.The dancers and musicians often interact flirtatiously.A senior musician in Ayacucho.More dancers and musicians with vivid costumes.Another young dancer entertains the crowd.In Ayacucho, traditions begin in childhood. This young boy accompanied scores of musicians.More dancing and playing by a large group.Two girls climb on a light pole to get a better look at the dancers and musicians.Two members of a group watch the spectacle from a balcony overlooking the Plaza de Armas.Two parade participants pose for a photo.This large group of dancers and musicians represented the national police.Musicians representing the national police celebrate the spirit of carnival.
