Folklore and Art in Puno
Puno the folkloric capital of Peru.
In this region the folklore is manifested in two big ways, one in the customs and ancestral rites in the forms of life of some towns, among those highlight the communities of the Uros, Taquile and Amantani, and the other one in its artistic manifestations.
Expert artisans and indigenous weavers elaborate art objects of captivating beauty by hand. The art of weaving alpaca and sheeps wool has been kept alive by the people of the highland plains. They also make musical instruments such as the siku and pan pipes. The best-known crafts include Pucará bulls and the Ekeko, a character who carries a variety of objects and products for good luck.
On 2005 Taquile Island was proclaimed as "Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by its textile art, which is produced as an everyday activity by both men and women, regardless of their age, and worn by all community members.
Puno has been denominated the "folkloric capital of Peru" by the wealth of its artistic and cultural expressions, especially through the dance and music. There are registered more than 300 autochthonous and religious dances, from the 1,500 existing in the national environment.
These dances reach their biggest manifestation in the celebration, in February, of the Feast of the "Virgen de la Candelaria" (considered as one of the most important from Peru) and in the Regional Competition of Autochthonous Dances, being their people's maximum expression.
These big celebrations have the participation of the whole town of Puno and also communities of near towns.
Among the main rural dances we can mention: the Waca Waca, the Cullahulla (it represents the actions of a quack doctor), the Carnival of the Ichu, the Kajelo (it represents a horseman that dominates the summits and abysses, with Andean suit), the Llamerada (danced with great order and uniformity to the tune of a wind instruments band), the Wifala (pastoral loving and deliberate dance), the Sikuris (similar to the Diablada), the Machu Tusuj (of satirical character that exalts the fecundity, vigor, dexterity and eroticism of the old people), etc.
Among the dances of the city we can mention the Diablada, the Marinera Puneña, the Pandilla, the Morenada, Rey Moreno, the Caporales, etc.
In both dance types out stands the fantasy clothes and suits of their dancers, many are made with threads of gold, semi-precious stones and embroideries and exquisite laces, with a high value.
LAKE TITICACA AND PUNO - PHOTO GALLERY.
- Puno City
- Andean Explorer Train
from Cuzco to Lake Titicaca - Lake Titicaca
- Sillustani Archaeological Site
- Pucará - Museum and Church
- San Juan Bautista Church
- Amantani Island
- Taquile Island
- Uros Islands
- Yavari Project
- People of Taquile Island
- Uros Islands - People
- Uros Islands - Reed boats and Houses
- Dances of Puno
- San Santiago Feast in Puno
- San Santiago Feast in Taquile Island
- Virgin of Candelaria Feast - Yellow
- Virgin of Candelaria Feast - Green
- Virgin of Candelaria Feast - Blue
- Virgin of Candelaria Feast - Red