Articles of Interest

Mamacha Carmen Fiesta in Paucartambo

Almost 3,000 popular ‘fiestas’ are celebrated year-round in Peru.  Most of them are dedicated to celebrating a Patron Saint and have been added to a Christian calendar adopted from the colonial era, though they carefully fuse Christianity with the magical ancestral beliefs of a particular region and culture.

Every year, between the 15th and 18th of July, a little village near Cusco called Paucartambo, draws the attention of tourists and locals alike with one of the most eagerly awaited religious celebrations in Peru.  Paucartambo is located 100 km from Cusco (4 hour drive) and is rarely visited by tourists, despite being en route to Manu National Park.  However, during this week it is worth not only stopping for a couple hours, but staying a few days.

The preparations to celebrate Mamacha Carmen (Mother Carmen), patron Saint of the village, start several weeks before July 15th; as a matter of fact, the whole village will stop working during this week in July and will dedicate all their time to celebrating their protector.  This festival includes not only the mass main procession of Mamacha Carmen’s image on the 16th, but also four days of parties including Peruvian folk bands playing day and night; dancers in colourful costumes and hand-made masks that represent slaves of the colonial times, angels or demons; fireworks; and lots and lots of beer, chicha and pisco.  On July, 17th every Paucartambino visits the local cemetery, bringing food and liquor along to celebrate with their late friends and relatives.  On the 18th, Paucartambo waves its last goodbye to Mamacha Carmen, devoutly asking for one more year of well-being for the community.


Getting There:

The best thing to do is pop into a small travel agency around the Plaza de Armas and ask about transportation to Paucartambo. Public buses also leave from Wanchaq Market, for 10 - 12 soles, but those will be very crowded and not a pleasant journey.

This article was written by Andrea Tello, our editor in Peru.