Carnival Fest
14 Feb 2012 - 16 Feb 2012
Place: Arequipa
The holiday has evolved over the years, but the essence remains the same; children and adults alike join together to celebrate life and enjoy an exciting party, without discrimination.
Forty years ago, Carnival was celebrated with great festivities lasting for three days (which was not practical). The holiday has since evolved to allow for participation throughout the month of February.
Whole families come out in convoys carrying paper and coloured powders, many of them filled eggs with water of red dye, powders and mixes. The people would sing in the streets and walk down to peoples' houses, where the fun would begin with water, painting and dancing. The caravan would then continue and visit another house and so on until a house offered some food and the party would stay until the late night hours.
Carnival dances have always been a highlight! Usually wealthy people would offer a venue for the performances and did not prohibit entry to anyone, with the condition that one must wear an elegant dress. In Arequipa, it was possible to rent these fine suits in two places: the barbershop of the Mr. Torreblanca on the Portal of St. Augustine, and over the side of the Fenix film of Francisco Quevedo. It was the customary for each dance leader with the hostess between polkas, waltzes and paso doble to spend the night decorating the city with streamers and masks. There would be a dinner at 11 pm and then the party continued with fresh beer and drinks until dawn.
The next day, "las comparsas" (groups of people with musicians) would continue the party between playing folk music and drinking rum or beer.
The celebrations of Carnival end on Miércoles de Ceniza (Ash Wednesday), beginning the preparation for Holy Week. Things calm down in the city once again and the revellers must wait a year for the party to start all over.
A place where you can experience Carnival as in those years is in the resort of Mejia (Arequipa), where large troops of people walk the streets dancing and drinking liquor. Everyone is all painted and the festivities will continue into very late at night on the main day of Carnival, which is February 14th.
Peruvian carnivals are marked by the festive character of Andean areas. A common feature of almost the entire chain is the ritual of yunza called umisha cortamonte in the jungle and the coast. It is artificially planting a tree trunk laden with gifts, balloons and many ornaments, around which the guests dance until it is cut with an ax.
A widely used practice in Arequipa is the traditional carnival parade, water balloon game is also very common.
