Home - Culture of Peru
The Peruvian culture is based on a mixture of the customs of pre-Spanish cultures in Peru and the later colonization by Spain after the defeat of the Inca Civilization by Francisco Pizarro.
As you will see farther down this page, there were an amazing number of ancient cultures in Peru. Each left its mark on the succeeding culture in its area. It would be impossible trace all the influences of those ancient cultures as well as more recent influences.
We'll look at just one example from Colonial Spanish influence on current Peru culture>
Religious Culture - the Virgenes
Following the Spanish conquerors, the Roman Catholic religion permeated
Peruvian culture, in many cases drawing its precepts directly from
Spain; in other
cases mixing with ancient beliefs and traditions to form local customs
and celebrations.
When traveling in Peru, you notice that nearly every region has its
"Virgen" or virgin Mary image that is special and sacred to that area.
Was
this exclusive to Peruvian culture?
Gabriele, author of Tenerife-Holiday-Home-Insider.com, an excellent web site on Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain makes this interesting observation:
The Tenerife culture definitely has Peruvian connections
The Virgen de Candelaria Festival of
Lima is one.
The Black Virgin cult from
Peru derives from the Black Madonna
of
Candelaria of the biggest of all Canary Islands. Black Madonnas
appeared by the the latest by the middle of the XVI century all over
South America and even Europe.
Spanish missionaries, monks and other church members introduced the
statues for cults. It all happened after the former Tenerife Guanche goddess Chaxiraxi
had
been turned into a powerful Catholic idol which helped to create peace
in a mixed ethnic group population.
is as varied as the
locale; however, Lima
is known as the culinary
capital of the Western
world precisely because it takes the best of the many regional foods
and presents them as a real delight in the many fine restaurants
available.
Although many languages were spoken in the past in Peru, the Spanish
conquerors established Spanish as Peru's official language. Other
languages are spoken still; however, the majority of Peruvians speak
Spanish only. You can get the most out of your visit to Peru by
learning some words and phrases in Spanish. Resources are available on
the net.
For a idea of the varied background of Peruvian Culture and its roots,
take a look at the following timeline and the MANY cultures which have
left their impact on modern culture of Peru.
Period - (most recent first) |
Dates | Cultures |
---|---|---|
Ceramic | ||
Late Horizon | 1476 CE - 1534 CE | Inca |
Late Intermediate | 1000 CE - 1476 CE | Huari, Chimu,
Chincha, Cajamarca, Piura,
Chancay, Chachapoyas,
Chiribaya, Chucuito, Huaman Huilca, Ilo, Qotu Qotu, Pacacocha, Palli Marca, Piura, Sican, Tajaraca, Huaylas, Conchucos, Huamachuco, Rucanas, Chanka, Aymara nations, Ayabaca, Bracamoros, Huancabambas, Tallan culture, Huarco, Ichma, Parinacota, Cuntis, Chinchaycochas, Huarochiri, Kheswas, Tarmas, Paltas, Camanas |
Middle Horizon | 600 CE - 1000 CE | Huari, Tiwanaku, Piura |
Early Intermediate | 200 CE - 600 CE | Moche,
Nazca,
Lima, Tiwanaku, Pichiche, Piura.
|
Early Horizon | 900 BCE - 200 CE | Chavin, Cupisnique, Late Chiripa, Paracas, Pichiche, Sechura |
Initial Period | 1800/1500 BCE - 900 BCE | Early Chiripa, Kotosh, Toril (The Cumbe Mayo aqueduct was built c. 1000 BCE.) |
Preceramic | ||
Period VI | 2500 BCE - 1500/1800 BCE | Norte Chico (more recent findings at Caral may update these dates), Casavilca, Culebras, Viscachani, Huaca Prieta |
Period V | 4200 BCE - 2500 BCE | Honda, Lauricocha III, Viscachani |
Period IV | 6000 BCE - 4200 BCE | Ambo, Canario, Siches, Lauricocha II, Luz, Toquepala II |
Period III | 8000 BCE - 6000 BCE | Arenal, Chivateros II, Lauricocha I, Playa Chira, Puyenca, Toquepala I |
Period II | 9500 BCE - 8000 BCE | Chivateros I, Lauricocha I |
Period I | ? BCE - 9500 BCE | Oquendo, Red Zone (central coast) |
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