The Feast of the Virgin of Carmen in Paucartambo

Imagine immersing yourself in a world of colorful costumes, exciting dances and fervent devotion! In this article, I will take you to discover all about the feast of the Virgen del Carmen in Paucartambo, Cusco. Are you ready to explore this wonderful celebration?

What is the history of the Virgin of Carmen of Paucartambo?

The history of the Virgin of Carmen of Paucartambo goes back centuries, fusing the essence of the Catholic religion with local beliefs and traditions. It is said that in the 17th century, during the Peruvian colonial period, the inhabitants of Paucartambo witnessed a miracle: the appearance of the effigy of the Virgin on a rock in the town of Pucará. This event moved the population, and the image of the Virgin was carved and taken to Paucartambo for veneration.

Over time, devotion to the Virgen del Carmen grew in the region, becoming a central figure in the spiritual and cultural life of Paucartambo. Various miracles and protections have been attributed to her over the years, consolidating her importance as patroness and protector of the community.

The Virgen del Carmen de Paucartambo has been recognized as the patron saint of folkloric dances and has received papal honors, highlighting its relevance both locally and internationally. Its history is a testimony of the deep faith and devotion of the people of Cusco to the Virgin Mary, under the invocation of Carmen.

Image of Cusquenian Traditions

What is the Feast of the Virgin of Carmen in Paucartambo, Cusco?

The festivity of the Virgen del Carmen is an annual celebration that takes place in the picturesque town of Paucartambo, located three hours from Cusco, in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. This festivity, which takes place from July 15 to 19, is an occasion to honor the Virgen del Carmen, also known as “Mamacha Carmen”, patron saint of the mestizos.

How is the Feast of the Virgin of Carmen in Paucartambo?

The festival begins with an explosion of color and joy, with bands of musicians filling the streets with music and choirs singing songs in Quechua. The dancers, dressed in traditional costumes and elaborate masks, walk the cobblestone streets of Paucartambo, carrying with them the history and culture of the region.

Program of the feast of the virgin of Paucartambo

July 15th:

• > Beginning of the festival: The festivity begins with a fireworks show and the sound of bells ringing in the Main Square of Paucartambo.
• > Entrance of the comparsas: Different comparsas of dancers begin their journey through the cobblestone streets of the city, accompanied by bands of musicians.
• > Bonfire and acrobatic jumps: At night, bonfires are lit and the dancers perform acrobatic jumps over them, representing purgatory and hell.
• > Serenade to the Virgin: At 11:00 p.m., the band of musicians performs a serenade to the Virgen del Carmen in front of the church, marking the closing of the first day of the festival.

July 16:

• > Dawn mass: At 5:00 a.m., an aurora mass is celebrated at the crack of dawn.
• > Festivity Mass: At 10:00 a.m., the main mass of the festivity takes place, where songs of the local comparsas are performed.
• > Dances in the streets: After mass, the comparsas dance through the streets of Paucartambo, showing off their colorful costumes and choreography.

July 17th:

• > Great procession: Starting at 3:00 p.m., the procession of the Virgen del Carmen takes place through the streets of the city, accompanied by dancers and musicians.
• > Representation of the Saqras: The Saqras, characters representing demons, perform acrobatics and pranks from rooftops and balconies as the procession advances.

July 18th:

• > Change of the Virgin’s clothing: A special ceremony is held where the clothing of the Virgen del Carmen is changed, with the participation of the community.
• > Blessing by the priest: At 4:00 p.m., the priest gives the blessing to the entire population, marking the official end of the festival.

July 19:

• > Farewell to the Virgin: The image of the Virgin is placed on her altar and a farewell ceremony takes place, where the faithful pray and accompany the Virgin until the last moment of the celebration.

Dances of the Virgin of Carmen in Paucartambo

During the feast of the Virgen del Carmen in Paucartambo, various dances are performed that are an integral part of the celebration and reflect the rich cultural tradition of the region. Some of the main dances that can be seen during this festival are:

• > Danzaq or Tusuq: This dance stands out for its colorful and elegant costumes. The danzaq are considered to be conquerors of married women, seducers of young girls and comforters of widows. Their clothing includes chucos on the head, short ponchos and blue pants with rainbow-colored stripes.

• > Chunchachas: They represent the women of the Kosñipata jungle, although their clothing shows mestizo influence. They wear Amazonian crowns, bibs that symbolize the Virgin, and wear skirts with chonta and shawls called sinehon.

• > Qhapaq Negro: This dance recalls the servile and slave era of the black population. The dancers wear chains as a symbol of submission and offer their dance as a tribute to the Virgin of Carmen.

• > Qhapaq Qolla: It represents the inhabitants of the Qollasuyu and has its origins in colonial times. The dancers wear decorated monteras, llicllas and q’epis made of vicuña fabrics.

• > Qhapaq Ch’uncho: This dance evokes the jungle warriors of Qósñipata. The dancers use multicolored feathers, mesh masks, skirts and chonta spears, creating an impressive visual representation.

• > Saqras: The Saqra dance is a folkloric expression that represents the duality between good and evil during the celebration of the Virgen del Carmen in Paucartambo, Cusco. The dancers, dressed as demons, perform acrobatics and energetic movements to entertain the audience and challenge the Virgin and the faithful.

The other dances that take place during the feast of the virgin of Carmen de Paucartambo are: Qoyacha, Contradanza, Maqt’a, Majeños, Waca Waca, Doctorcito or Siklla, Negrito, Auqa Chileno, Danza Panadero, K’achampa, Danza Chucchu, Misti Qanchi and Paucartampus.

The Religious Ritual and Fiesta Traditions

The festivity also includes religious ceremonies inside the church, where the faithful gather to pray and pay homage to the Virgin. In addition, there are folkloric events in the main square, where visitors can enjoy fireworks displays, bonfires and exhibitions of traditional dances.

How to get to Paucartambo from Cusco?

For those who wish to join the celebration, getting to Paucartambo from Cusco is easy. The cars that go to Paucartambo can be found on Diagonal Angamos Avenue and cost approximately S/. 15.00. Cabs are also available, and travelers can negotiate the cost of the fare.

Discover the Natural Beauty of Tres Cruces

In addition to the festival, visitors have the opportunity to explore Tres Cruces, a natural viewpoint located an hour and a half from Paucartambo. From this point, one can enjoy breathtaking views of the Amazon plain and witness a spectacular sunrise, an experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

In short, the feast of the Virgin of Carmen in Paucartambo, Cusco, is a unique celebration that combines religious devotion, tradition and folklore. From the colorful dances to the exciting religious ceremonies, this festivity is an experience not to be missed, visit Cusco and join this party!

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