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Location:
El Guayabo and El Carmen (Chincha, Ica)
Date: December 27
The
Virgen del Carmen is the most widely venerated image in
Peru after the Lord of Miracles.
Its worship dates back to colonial times when friars from
the Carmeline Order arrived. In various communities in Ica
(300 km south of Lima) as well as the areas of El Carmen
and El Guayabo in Chincha (200 km south of Lima), home to
most of Peru's Afro-Peruvian population, the locals render
a special homage to the virgin at the end of every year.
What is unique about this festival is that here it is called
La Peoncita (the little peon) for its link with teenagers
who perform the dances called los negritos and las pallitas,
in honor of the Virgin.
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