Andina

New Year’s traditions and customs in Peru

Sales of yellow underwear in Gamarra to celebrate New Year. Photo: ANDINA/Carlos Lezama

10:54 | Lima, Dec. 31 (ANDINA).

Peruvians all over the country are preparing their good luck traditions to ring in the New Year with hope for better days ahead.

Common traditions include eating 12 grapes making a wish as the bells struck twelve, running around the block with an empty suitcase to travel, and wearing yellow clothes for success, money and luck.

However, these good luck traditions can be classified depending on their purposes.

For abundance

Eating a spoon of lentil - or any other grain – at midnight or put some grains in the corners of the house, in bags and pockets.

To end enmity

Sweeping the house thoroughly towards the streets so that the negative vibrations leave and start a new year free of them.

For health

Dressing in white to attract good health. Sitting and standing up on a chair as the bells struck twelve for marriage.

Ritual for progress

Prepare a lotion made of basil, spearmint, honey of love oil and lemon juice. Boil the ingredients in a half liter of water, pour in a flask and add citrus colognes. Moisten cotton balls with the lotion and place them under your pillow or of the person you want to help.

Yellow underpants bring promise of good 2011

Market tables have sprung up all over the city laden with lemon-coloured briefs for the millions of Peruvians who believe that wearing yellow on New Year’s Eve brings good luck.

The burning of rag dolls

The burning of dolls is a major staple of New Year's celebrations in Peru.  What people do is make dolls, usually of old cloth or rags, in the semblance of someone who that person wishes to forget and to symbolically leave in the past. These dolls are subsequently burned on New Year's Eve and that burning signifies that the item has been left wholly in the past.

(END) RMB


Publicado: 31/12/2010