La Fiesta de la Candelaria in Puno

Fiesta de la Candelaria Puno, Peru

 

La Fiesta de la Candelaria in Puno
 

The Virgin of Candelaria or Our Lady of Candelaria is an invocation of the Virgin Mary originally from Tenerife (Spain). His feast is celebrated according to the liturgical calendar on 2 February to remember the presentation of Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem after his birth and the purification of Mary. He is patron of several cities and countries of America and other continents; Peru is notorious in its association with Puno.

In ref1 (s / f, para. 4) states that the party is known and celebrated as "the Presentation of the Lord, the Purification of Mary, the Feast of Light and the Feast of the Candles" where Christ is "Light of the world by his mother in the temple comes to enlighten everyone as the candle or candles, hence the title of Our Lady of Candelaria is derived” . In ref. 2 (s / f, P 1), is claimed to be one of the most important religious feast of South America, by the number of symbols and artistic and cultural expressions peculiar to the Quechua, Aymara and mestizo cultures of the Andean highlands and the number of persons involved, directly and indirectly .

In Puno, where the feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria trials lasting 18 days from 2 months prior to the party, dancing in native costumes are presented with more than 200 groups and more than 70,000 participants between "native dances" coming from the Puno communities and sets of dances of the neighborhoods in the city of Puno. They are called "dances with costumes," participating dancers, musicians and managers indirectly, alferados, embroiderers, craftsmen in the making of masks, boots and shoes, bells and other items.

 Men and women, old, young and children do not stop dancing to the Virgin in gratitude for the benefits and wonders that allow them to live. In this festival the whole city and enjoy the party in a sea of ​​color, cool dance, whose main witness the majestic Lake Titicaca.

In developing the feast appreciate different times: essays, novenas, dawns holiday, candles input, input k'apos eve, Feb. 2, eighth, veneration, cacharpari.

On 2 September 2003 the National Institute of Culture of Peru declared the Feast of the Virgin of Candelaria as Cultural Heritage of Peru, "because it originates in the ancient Andean invocations to the Pachamama (Mother Earth) Uncle supay (devil ) miners and the Virgen de la Candelaria and motivates one of the greatest events in American folk expression "(Ref. 2 s / f, para 5.) sites.

On the Feast of Candles, the essential part of the festival is the dance and musical expression in which the most representative dances takes place, the number and variety has increased gradually.

 
In the first half of the twentieth century, the dance of the Sikumorenos enjoyed predilection on the Feast of the Virgin of Candelaria. In the newspapers speak of "Three games and numerous indigenous brown, have walked the streets of the town with sad music and dancing to them" (The Journal of Eco Puno, 5/2/19112); "the groups of sicuris and brown" (Diario El Siglo de Puno, 03/02/1985); "walking the streets, the groups of brown" (Diario El Eco de Puno, 14/02/1996). Other dances, such as "Five Indian troupes dressed bullfighters, dark, angels, devils and llameritos, preceded the procession to execute its music and dance, whimsical and tiresome but pleasing" (Diario El Siglo de Puno, 10 also had / 2/1921).

 
In the spirit of competition already established, other dances to dispute the primacy to morenada. In the fifties it was the Llamerada; for it "in 1966, a total of 22 sets involved llameradas 9, 3 sikuris and other dances with fewer sets (Diario Los Andes in Puno, 02/08/66). Other featured groups are kullahuadas and diabladas.

In the late twentieth century, seeking supremacy sikuris sets (single and multiple drums) the morenadas (and its variants), the "carnival" (pujllay and anata), foremen and diabladas. In 1993, 26 participated sikuris (single and multiple drums), 18 morenadas (including variants), 9 carnivals 7 caporales 7 Kajelos, 6 & 5 kullahuadas diabladas, among others. In 2004 they took part: 38 sikuris (single and multiple drums), 21 morenadas (including variants), 19 carnivals 8 and 7 diabladas foremen, among others. When compared with the number of sets in 1966 (22) could observe a significant increase.

There are currently 30 sicuris (including variants), 20 morenadas 12 caporales 8 diabladas, 3 kullahuadas, 3 wacas waca and nearly fifty indigenous carnivals, which can be added to sets that are not natural dancers of Puno.

Personally, I enjoy  the part of the musical accompaniment. A band of musicians regularly has 15 to 20 instruments, including the bass drum. A great band can have something over thirty and a bass drum bands;  in the parades in Puno, a band could have more than 100 musicians, with six or more bass drums; so that in itself is already a fabulous show not only an accessory component. If you are in Puno during the party, stand near a band and understand my point of view. Enjoy the presentation of a band (YouTube link)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DVa8r1ca2E

 
Currently, participation is not for only for puneños of origin, but also involves visitors from other cities in Peru including foreigners, who assume obligations and share an enthusiasm and dedication to be part of the parade. A growing number of participants, the number of dance groups and competitive spirit. Not only devotion, but the imagination and will to be the best is also demonstrated.

 

Now it is the devotion to the Virgen de la Candelaria, but also of personal prestige, also reflecting a change of mind, a sense of pride and belonging.
In Ref. 2 (s / f) states that "Before the authorities forbade the Indians dance and play collectively in cities and only allowed them on payment of fines" (Diario Los Andes in Puno, 03/01/1934) because "was tasteless interpret aboriginal music" .

Today, it is an activity whose cost depends on the dress and other obligations assumed, is stressful and exhausting, but who participates does so with determination and enthusiasm that makes you forget all the difficulties. I

n 2014, the contest now firmly established as a feature of the festival, won the Grand Incomparable Diablada Friends Of Del Peru National Police or PNP Diablada (link yotube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2SseivKGgk