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The
festival of the Crosses: catholic crosses, Andean spirits
is celebrated on May 3rd in Lima, Apurímac, Ayacucho,
Junín, Ica, Cusco and other important cities in the
country.
This festival, which is widespread in the highlands, is organized
by the members of each community who decorate their respective
crosses and prepare then for the procession to neighboring
churches.
The celebration is linked to giving thanks for bountiful harvests,
a custom maintained by peasant farmers since the pre-Hispanic
era.
The festival often features folk music shows involving danzantes
de tijeras (scissors dancers). In ancient times, the danzaq
or scissors dancers would perform their daring feats on top
of the church belltowers.
Even today, the dancers strive to outdo each other, performing
extraordinary feats of derring-do.
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