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Mamacha Carmen Festival
Paucartambo — Peru

July 15-17, 2008

In the village of Paucartambo on the Eastern slope of the Andes, thousands of devotees celebrate La Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen, known locally as Mamacha Carmen, patron saint of Paucartambo.

Relatively few tourists have seen this celebration because it has been difficult to reach and once there, you have to camp .Regional dance groups, each with their own musical accompaniment, perform during the procession, re-enacting historical events and folktales.

For five days the dance groups take to the streets to accompany the Mamacha throughout the entire procession to the main square. On the main day Mamacha Carmen is taken out of the church and borne aloft in a procession to bless those present. In this colorful and animated festival, the dancers take to the housetops, play tricks on the crowd, perform daring gymnastics showing off their colorful costumes.

At the end of the procession war is waged on the demons, where the faithful emerge in triumph. The festival ends with a procession to the cemetery to render homage to the souls of the dead. It is also prophesied by the Inka that one of the female ‘fifth level’ healers will emerge at this festival in the next six years!

Fabulous views of the Andes and the high Amazon Basin on the one way road from Cuzco.