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WORLD CULTURES AND FOLK CUSTOMS - PERU

SIMO JELAČA, Ph.D.

Preface

This book summarizes information about the culture and customs of different peoples. There are noticeable differences in customs among Christian, Islamic and Buddhist nations, although in everything the intention for the beautiful and the greatest prevails.

It would be too much to include every country, as there are similarities among many peoples of the same or close nationality. Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, as well as Germany and Austria are characteristic. A similar conclusion is valid for the Latin peoples, and among themselves.

Readers will find basic information about each country, such as its location and size, population and ethnic composition, religion, climate, language, etiquette, and more.

This book can be used equally by travelers, whether as tourists or business people, so that everyone will find the necessary information about the etiquette of people at home and at work.

My intention was to find as much good information as possible. Readers will judge how successful I was.

Author

PERU

CULTURE AND FOLK CUSTOMS

Facts and Statistics                    

Population: 30 million.

Capital: Lima, population 10 million.

Area: 1,285.216 square kilometers.

Location: Western South American, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador. It borders Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east.

Languages: Spanish 84.1%, Quechua 13%, Aymara 1.7%, Ashaninka 0.2%, other Amazonian 0.7% and other 0.2%.

Lima Population

Lima’s estimated population is 10 million people who live in 43 districts in Metropolitan Lima. The seaport of Callao also has six additional districts, and each of these districts have their own mayor and municipality. In addition to each district having its own Mayor, there is the Mayor of Lima who is in charge of all of the districts and municipalities. Lima was founded in 1535 and comprised only 100 city blocks around a plaza. By 1961, the country had over 1.2 million people, and in the next 20 years, Lima reached over 3.5 million. By 1997, there were 6 million people living in the city, and growth continues to push Lima towards 10 million inhabitants.

Symbolism

The archaeological remains of the royal Inca estate of Machu Picchu is one of the most striking images emblematic of Peruvian culture. The majestic image of this ancient ruin perched high in the Andes is used to symbolize the resilience of Peruvian traditions. The ruins evoke the nation's Indian past and legitimizes both Peru's historical heritage and cultural tradition. Other emblematic figures of Peru are that of Lake Titicaca and the island of the sun. The island of the sun is the largest of the islands in Lake Titicaca and was considered sacred by the Incas. As a result of this sacred status, the Incas maintained a temple to the sun on the island.

National Identity

Peruvians maintain a very strong sense of national identity supported by a series of common characteristics such as language, religion, food, and music. A Peruvian identity is most firmly found among the white elite and large Mestizo communities.

Peruvian Indians above all have faced five centuries of ethnically discriminatory and genocidal practices against its population.

Peruvians. Indians above all have faced five centuries of ethnically discriminatory and genocidal practices against its population.

Urbanism and Architecture

There are three major architectural traditions in Peru. The pre-Hispanic tradition represents all those indigenous architectural traits existing in the territory before the Spanish conquest. The ruins of places such as Machu Picchu in Ayacucho, the temple of the sun in Cuzco, and the ruins of Sacsahuamán. The main constructions of all Inca urban centers are the Inca's palace, the main temple of the sun, and the house for the Acl Lacona's.

The Spanish conquest brought with it a completely different architectural sensibility. Peruvian cities such as Arequipa, Cuzco, and Lima are the best examples of this colonial style.

Food in Daily Life

Peru is known for its distinct cuisine. The daily food customs are marked regionally between the coast and the highlands even though both rely heavily on soups and rice as dietary staples. In this manner seafood and plantains are typical of the coastal diet, while different kinds of meat, corn, and potatoes are much more frequently consumed in the highlands.

Basic Economy

Peru is traditionally portrayed as a country with a developing economy dependent upon the export of raw materials and the import of manufactured goods. It is also one of the leading fishing countries in the world and ranks among the largest producers of bismuth, silver, and copper. Traditionally, Peru has also been an agricultural-based society with almost a third of its workforce involved in farm labor.

Major Industries

Most of Peru's industries are located within the greater radius of the capital, Lima. Traditionally Peru had provided the labor force and minor raw materials for its assembly industry. Important is the production of cement, steel, fertilizers, processed food, textiles, and petroleum.

The United States is by far Peru's most important trading partner, accounting for-one third of all its imports and exports. Western Europe, Japan, Colombia, and Brazil comprise most of the rest of the country's trading relationships.

Classes

The class arrangement, however, is somewhat more fluid and has allowed for traditionally discriminated individuals to occupy high status positions either in politics or in the arts.

Social Welfare

The Peruvian government has traditionally been involved with national health and social security benefits; however, the government has had very limited success in providing Peruvian citizens with adequate care in both areas.

Division of Labor by Gender

Men and women have traditionally occupied different labor roles. Since Incan times, women customarily were in charge of weaving and minor agricultural obligations while men took care of road construction, farming, and military obligations. Peru could be described as a patriarchal society. Sons are preferred over daughters, are given more freedom, and are less burdened with household chores and family obligations.

Marriage

In general, Peruvians have free choice about who they can or cannot marry, with class and money being the two most significant variables in terms of marriage decisions. Many couples decide to live together. The Peruvian model for a domestic unit is the nuclear family.

Infant Care

Indian mothers tend to carry their infants in colorful slings upon their backs even while performing agricultural labor. Indian mothers also openly nurse their children in public places, seeing it as a natural function.

Education

Boys and girls are strongly encouraged to attend grade and high school although either lack of money or the need for a child's labor at home persuades many lower-class families to keep their children from attending public schools.

Higher Education

The oldest university in South America is located in Peru. The Universidad Nacional de San Marcos in Lima was founded 12 on May 1551.

Medicine and Health Care

Life expectancy in Peru is sixty-seven years, which is quite high considering the serious deficiencies in the country's public health systems. Only two-thirds of its population has access to public medical attention, and only 25 percent of those living in conditions of extreme poverty.

Greetings

When entering a shop or home, always use an appropriate oral greeting (buenos días, or good day; buenas tardes, or good afternoon; buenas noches, or good night). Similarly, upon leaving, it is polite to say goodbye (Adios or Hasta luego), even to shop owners with whom you've had minimal contact. Peruvians often shake hands upon leaving as well as greeting.

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