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Culture, Arts & Traditions in Peru
Peruvian Festivals & Rituals |
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Lord
of the Earthquakes Festival
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Location:
Cuzco
Date: 2nd half of March-1st week of April
Ever since 1,650, when the faithful
claim that an oil painting of Christ on the Cross held off
a devastating earthquake that was rattling the city of Cuzco,
the locals have been rendering homage to the image of Taitacha
Temblores, the Lord of the Earthquakes. The celebration is
held on Easter Monday against the backdrop of Easter Week
in the city of Cuzco.
This celebration is of particular interest because it allows
onlookers to get a glimpse of the fusion of Andean religions
and Christianity. The Cuzco Cathedral, where the image is
kept, is built on the foundations of the ancient temple dedicated
to the pagan god Apulla Tikse Wiracocha.
The image of the Lord of Earthquakes is borne aloft in a procession
through the streets of the city just as the Incas used to
parade the mummies of their chieftains, high priests and supreme
rulers. In the end, the dominating part of the celebration
involves the ñucchu flower (salvia esplendes), used
as an offering to the ancient gods Kon and Wiracocha.
The same flower today is used to weave a crown for the Lord
of the Earthquakes. This crimson colored flower, whose petals
are scattered by the faithful over the venerated image, symbolizes
the blood of Christ.
The image used today was donated by King Charles V, and despite
centuries of smoke from the candles and incense, no one has
dared to restore the blackened painting, that has given the
Christ a somber aspect and a dark countenance.
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