The Carnival in Cajamarca is a popular celebration that takes place 40 days before Ash Wednesday in the town of Cajamarca, capital of the province of the same name. The date of its realization is mobile and it is considered one of the biggest, most joyful and expected festivities in Peru.
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The celebration is held every year during the last days of February or early March and its purpose is to venerate the “Rey Momo”, known as Ño Carnavalón, who represents mockery and sarcasm.
With the passage of time, the festivity has become a meeting point for locals and visitors that fosters fraternity. Likewise, the carnivals are already a cultural reference and an identity symbol of the city of Cajamarca and it is characterized by its colorful dances, festivals and the joy that accompanies the events.
How are the Cajamarca carnivals celebrated?
The Cajamarca carnival combines elements such as costumes, music, parades and street activities that are carried out by its inhabitants and in which artisans, dance groups and musical groups participate.
The music, the originality of their costumes and the joy are the reason for the festivities, in addition to the games with water and ink. The streets are filled with colors, no spectator is spared a splash of water, dyes and a good drink of chicha de jora.
Traditions of the Cajamarca carnival
In the days of celebration there are some events and activities that are already part of the carnival tradition. The most outstanding customs of this festivity are:
The election of the Carnival Queen: it takes place the Friday before Carnival Sunday and is chosen among the most beautiful young women of each neighborhood.
The Coplas Contest: it is participated individually or in groups and tries to reward the creativity and originality of the compositions. A jury is in charge of choosing the winners.
Thursday of Compadres: the celebration takes place in the neighborhood of San Pedro and is a symbol of the union of fraternal ties. It is carried out through a game of ribbons and is enlivened with carnival dances and music.
The entrance of the Ño Carnavalón: takes place on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday. The Ño Carnavalón enters the festival to the rhythm of songs and music, followed by young participants.
The contest of patrols and comparsas: it is a big event that takes place on Carnival Sunday. It is a parade where participants compete in different categories and are accompanied by music. The public also participates in the event.
The carnival parade: it is a parade of floats that go around the city and takes place on Carnival Monday.
The wake of Ño Carnavalón: takes place on Shrove Tuesday, when King Momo reaches his last days and dies accompanied by his widows.
The burial of the Ño Carnavalón: on Ash Wednesday the coffin of the Ño Carnavalón is accompanied by the participants to the rhythm of music. At the end of the procession, the will is read and the cremation takes place.
Unsha: it is a ceremony that has dance as a protagonist, it consists of dancing around a tree decorated with gifts.
Music of Cajamarca carnivals
Music is one of the essential elements of this celebration. The guitar, the accordion, the concertina, the mandolin, the violin, the rodín, the tarola or the trumpet are some of the instruments that sound during the days of carnival. Their sound accompanies the cajamarcan coplas, compositions that allude to everyday topics, often in the form of satire and mockery.
History of the Cajamarca Carnival
The activity, as it is known today, emerged in 1930. At that time, the parades of floats accompanied by beautiful beauty queens were the main attraction. At that time, water games were forbidden and ether sparklers or streamers, among others, were introduced to replace water.
During the 50’s, the Carnival presented different conflicts and violent episodes. For this reason, in the 1960s it was decided to reduce the number of days of celebration to three.
It was not until the 70’s that the festivity was resumed again, coinciding with the municipal government of Mayor Adolfo Amorín Bueno. By this time, the Carnival began to be organized in a more formal way.
Over the years, the Carnival acquired more of the traditional characteristics of the locality, beginning to show the myths and legends of the region. Thus, the duration and value of the celebration was extended until it gained national and international notoriety. In 2002, the Peruvian Congress declared the Carnival of Cajamarca a national holiday.
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FAQs about the Carnival of Cajamarca
When is the Cajamarca Carnival celebrated?
It takes place annually 40 days before Ash Wednesday, usually in late February or early March, and lasts several days.
What are the main traditions of the Cajamarca Carnival?
The festival includes the election of the Carnival Queen, the entrance and burial of Ño Carnavalón, the Unsha tree dance, and colorful parades with music, costumes, and water games.
Why is the Cajamarca Carnival important in Peru?
Recognized as a national holiday, the carnival is a cultural symbol of Cajamarca, celebrated for its joyful atmosphere, vibrant traditions, and historical significance.