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Says the tradition
that in the silve mine of Laykakota, in the tear 1675, Virgin Mary
came to the devote local miners with her kindness and mercy, granting
the, miracles. This reciprocity is paid by the villagers that, dressed
in her honour, dance, sing and play tunes through the streets, as
to venerate her as Patron Saint. The fiest of our Patron Saint is
prepared month before, starting with strength the first week of
January with the rehearsals of new choreography, preparing themselves
physically and spiritually. Early morning February 1st, the fireworks
and bells from the churches announce dawn, and the Fiesta starts.
After the sun sets. The Ccapos enter Pino Park, assisted with mules
and llamas highly adorned, carrying wood, mint and wild herbs brought
from higher lands, with incense to prepare the body and soul for
the specific date, followed by fireworks, celebrating the eve of
the Virgin, whilst the population dances and drinks generously.
On the 2nd, central day, with the clamour of dawn, the Virgin’s
image is prepared to be walked by important people of the town,
and after mass, she leaves the church in procession, with the participation
of autochthonous and ornamental dresses. During the journey, the
“alferado” (man in charge) is located in a privileged place, accompanied
by family and friends, carrying huge candles with complex carvings,
offering flowers and a new dress to the Patron Saint. Depending
on the schedule established by the Folkloric Federation of Puno
for the next years, the first Sunday of February the Regional Contest
of Autochthonous Dances takes place, where groups dance in the stadium
Torres Belon, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and where women show their
multi coloured “pollaeras” (skirts) and men show their typical dresses
that are the characteristic of the dance. Next Saturday the dawns
and eves of the Eighth of the Virgin take place, with similar activities
to the main day and where the party shows new groups, incoming of
candles and night fireworks. On Sunday, very early, the dancers
prepare for the Ornamental Dresses Contest; once the ritual is complete,
the groups keep dancing in the streets. The city lives intensely
this great date, overflowing happiness, music and dance. Early morning
Monday, the entire population and visitors take place on the side
walks to watch the Great Veneration Parade on the main streets and
in front of the Sanctuary of the Virgin, when al dancers participate
in this great event. On the following days, dances, processions
and visits to houses continue. Starting Wednesday, the farewells
and “cacharparis” begin, each groups offers mass and the ritual
obliges to dance inside the temple, where, obviously, great offers
are taken, committing to dance the following year and then they
leave to the streets dancing the traditional “huayñito”. This festivity
is the opportunity to admire the folkloric richness of Puno with
its uncountable dances and various types of choreography, as well
as multi colour dresses, full of stones, masks, etc., without leaving
apart the typical dresses of the Andean regions, that are prestigious
too.
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