During the 4 day celebration people come from Lima, Huancayo (the closest real city to Tomas) and all over the province of Yauyos, so more than twice the population of my town was here to celebrate. The celebration started in the afternoon of Christmas Eve with speeches from the four families that sponsored the party (a HUGE financial commitment because each family hires a band for 4 days and they hire cooks and provide free food for EVERY meal of the next four days). It was raining really hard all day but that didn’t stop the bands from marching and playing while a few people danced along.
On Christmas day the festivities began around 7:00 am, which makes for a short night after midnight mass. The day begins with the dance of the “Negritos”(meaning little black ones), which, as it sounds, is people wearing blackface masks who dance to represent the darker skinned pre-Hispanic Peruvians and to adorn the baby Jesus (I’m not sure how the two are connected, but that’s what I was told). It is kind of a parade as the dancers walk around the entire town and there are people lighting fireworks (hence it’s like the 4th of July). To an American, the costumes seem pretty racist, but that is NOT the intent and in Peruvian culture it doesn’t appear racist. After the Negritos groups of women dance the Paya, which again is to adorn the Baby Jesus. Each sponsor family has a group of Negritos and Payas, so these dances last for about 6 hours, with each band playing the same song for every dance!
After the dances and a free lunch (or in my case, free LUNCHES because I would receive lunch invitations from different families…at least overeating is consistent between American and Peruvian Christmases) the general dance begins. Then, from about 3:00 until midnight people are dancing and drinking (a lot of drinking) while the 4 bands rotate playing music (although, with many of the same songs and basically the same dance with little variation for 3 solid days!)
On the 26th the 3 other volunteers in Yauyos (my province) came to Tomas and we had our own little celebration and gift exchange. We had a great time and it was really nice to celebrate with some close friends and American Christmas music (including St. Olaf Christmas Fests, a GREAT change from the repetitivness of the bands). Overall, it was a great experience and a lot of fun. It was definitely not a Minnesota Christmas with the family, but certainly was a unique way to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Peace, Love, and Happy New Year!,
Jared
Dance of the Payas, to adorn Baby Jesus
One of the 4 bands with a group of Negritos dancing
The Nergritos beginning their parade around town, only to continue dancing for hours on end to the same music.
2 comments:
Hey, Jared. Wow a great Christmas you had -- thanks for sharing a description of it. It sounds like your many years of party preparations have really paid off. What did you bring to the party again? :)
Speaking of parties, we missed your charm and famous green bean casserole yesterday. In a quickly planned lunch to bring Aaron and Karla together with some of us at Phyllis & Larry's, the event turned into a great party. Sophia and Carson, who have really gotten big, wore Eeyore tails with Maya. Grandma Brandell, your folks, Tippy & Elizabeth, Ruthie, Dora & Karthik, Dollis and Roger were there too. Weather turned bad late (like 9 pm icey rain on the roads), but I think everyone got home okay. Karla and Aaron had an early flight this morning (Sunday 04-Jan-2009).
We've had a great time up in MN. In addition to seeing everyone, we got snow and cold weather, too. Noo & Maya came up on the 17th or so, I arrived the 24th. I'll leave today, and Maya and Noo leave the 7th.
We love hearing about your adventures. Can you talk more about the weather, especially how cold it gets overnight? What are the mornings like? What do you do to stay warm?
Steve
Is it true that if we send you a package that you won't get it? We really miss you, Jared.
Noo
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