During the month of August, we will find various options such as ancestral customs that are still in force and are practiced by many Peruvians. We will also see special dates such as anniversary parties in some cities in Peru. The cities celebrate their more than 400 years of existence, this generates great pride in its citizens. Something that we will see in the month of August are the religious festivals that are celebrated with great enthusiasm, color and beautiful dances to the sound of the quenas and bass drums. But that’s not all, the Peruvian diversity offers different routes with the activities you want. In August special hiking events and some other adventure sports are enabled.
The month of August is still a suitable month to visit the northern coasts. Make trips to the interior of the country or go on hiking trails. The rains have not returned yet and the weather in the Andes is mild in the morning, but quite frigid at night. It will also be possible to make trips to the Peruvian jungle with more security since the dry season makes the passage to these magical places more accessible.
August begins with the day of Pachamama or Mother Earth
In many of the Andean countries, ancestral ceremonies are held in honor of the different deities of that time. But the one that remained the most until today and permanently is the gratitude to Pachamama or Mother Earth. This activity consists of granting gifts or “payments” to the earth, they do this because Pachamama is considered the goddess of fertility, in this sense these rituals are made that consist of leaving gifts or offerings, always accompanied by coca leaves and came. The purpose of these ceremonies is to start the planting season.
The offerings that are delivered must always be accompanied by coca leaves, since these leaves are like the mediators between humans and nature. In more traditional rituals, sullus (lama or sheep fetuses), wine, beer, chicha, sweets, corn seeds and more are delivered. In some current acknowledgments, the coca leaf and wine are used to toast. These ceremonies are also done in some tours and tours to high mountains that are considered deities or “Apus”. The gratitude to the Pachamama, is done in order to connect the human being with all of nature.
August Catholic religious festivities in Peru
The month of August does not run out of religious celebrations. During this month, activities similar to those of the Virgen del Carmen in Paucartambo, but this time, in honor of the Blessed Virgin of the Snows and Virgin of Asunta. The first festivity has a great participation of the faithful in Coracora, Ayacucho. During this festivity, many faithful congregate, not only from the place, but also from various parts of the world. It is one of the biggest festivities in Peru since it lasts six days, the main day being August 5. The preparations begin on August 2 and the closing of the festivities is on August 8, during these days different activities are carried out, the dances of blacks, the llameritos, the huamanguinitos, the Coracora Cavalry and the blacks of coracora; are some of the main dances and attractions of the place.
Another place where a festival in honor of the Virgen de las Nieves is also celebrated is in the district of Tinta in Cusco. Virgen del Carmen During three days activities are carried out in which different faithful participate with dances, music and songs. There are many comparsas that dance as thanks to the Virgin. The first day begins vespers, where you can see fireworks displays and rice punch is served to visitors. August 5 is the main day and the next day, the blessing of the Virgen de las Nieves is given to all the faithful.
The patronal festival of the Virgin of Asunta takes place in the district of Chachapoyas, this religious festival begins on August 1 and ends on August 15. During the celebrations you can see religious and cultural acts, craft fairs and gastronomic fairs. There are also masses and the presence of dancers who make parades and processions where all the residents accompany the Virgin before the blessing.
A similar party is the one that is orchestrated in Calca in the Cusco region. From the first of August some activities begin where masses are presented by all the folkloric or dance associations. Until reaching August 15, the central day where a large number of dancers show their best steps in honor of the Asunta Virgin. The next day we proceed with the blessing, after which the merriment and party begins until August 21 with songs, prayers and dances, this last day being the closing or farewell of the party.
Anniversaries in August with impressive activities
Some of the Peruvian regions have August as their anniversary month. During this month we can visit the white city, where different activities are carried out such as concerts, parades, an international dance contest and the famous Corso de la Amistad. The city of Arequipa, one of the most touristic in Peru, receives its anniversary on August 15.
Another anniversary with this same date is in Huánuco. During its Spanish foundation it was named as “The city of the Knights of León de Huánuco”. This region is historical and important for Peruvian tourism because you can visit Las manos Cruzadas de Kotosh. If you travel to Huánuco during the month of August you can enjoy the local festivities. Huánuco is also the place where the song El cóndor Pasa was created, by the composer Daniel Alomía Robles. The celebration of its anniversary is carried out with parades, serenades and concerts.
This same day the anniversary of the appointment of the Constitutional Province of Callao is celebrated, like the previous ones mentioned, the entertainment is carried out with lyrical activities, parades, entrepreneurial and gastronomic fairs. At night, concerts by national and international artists are held to the rhythm of salsa. Musical rhythm that a large part of this coastal population likes.
Important days to remember the pride of being Peruvian
In August you can also celebrate that The Amazon, is considered one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. These celebrations take place in the Loreto region on August 12 and 13. On these days you can carry out activities such as artistic exhibitions, concerts, different craft and gastronomic fairs, some boat parades on the Amazon River and the massive participation of folk dances.
During August 5, you can also see an ancestral ceremony in the district of Maras. On the famous circular terraces of Moray in Cusco, the Wataqallariy is staged, which consists of starting the crops and is also a way of giving thanks to Pachamama.
In the Ayacucho region you can see some activities in relation to the care of nature such as the Yaku Raymi or water festival. This festivity consists of cleaning ditches, rivers and some banks of lakes and lagoons. The celebration is expressed in veneration to the Pachamama and some Andean gods. It also helps to raise awareness among the general population for the care of the environment. Let’s hope that little by little this festivity expands in all the towns and cities of Peru.
Hiking activities and extreme sports
The north coast of Peru holds a spectacular festival with different activities, such as ceremonial representations of ancient Peru and the pre-Inca Mochica culture. The Shi Mochik Fest is in charge of coordinating this activity along with others. For example, you can also make trips for several days, these family trips are made in all-terrain trucks, in order to visit remote places. These vehicles leave in a caravan and follow an itinerary of activities, it serves to encourage camaraderie among friends and family. Other similar activities that this festival offers are the surfing circuit, the cycling circuit, where cycling is carried out through the Pomac forests. However, the most colorful activities where the most public go is the horseback riding through the aforementioned forests and the historical parade along the Moche route.
An important hiking activity is the Ascent to Nevado Huascarán.
The month of August is the last recommended month to achieve this feat of more than 5 days of walking through the Peruvian Andes. Since in the coming months it can start to rain which you want or not, it makes the road more complicated, the snow begins to thaw, generating certain risks and dangers. Let’s remember that Huascarán is located at 6768 meters above sea level.