From January 1 to 4, Junin region's La Concepcion province expects to welcome thousands of visitors for the traditional Huaconada, an ancestral dance included in UNESCO's National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2010.
According to UNESCO, Huaconada is a ritual dance performed in the village of Mito, Concepcion province, in Peru’s central Andes. Every year, on the first three days of January, masked men known as ''huacones'' perform a choreographed series of dances in the centre of the town. The ''huacones'' represent the former council of elders, and for the duration of Huaconada they become the town’s highest authority.
The ''tronador'' (whip) they carry and their masks emphasize this role, the latter characterized by accentuated noses that evoke the beak of the condor, creature that represents the spirit of the sacred mountains.
The dance involves two types of huacones elders who wear traditional costumes and finely-carved masks inspiring respect and fear; and modern "huacones'" who wear colourful dresses, their masks embodying terror, sadness or mockery.
During Huaconada, the modern ''huacones'' dance circumscribed steps around the elders, who have greater freedom to dance improvised movements because of their seniority.
An orchestra plays different rhythms, beating out time on a small indigenous drum called a ''tinya.'' Huaconada synthesizes distinctive elements from the Andes and Spain while incorporating new, modern elements.
Only those of good conduct and moral integrity may become ''huacones.'' The dance is traditionally passed on from father to son, while clothing and masks are also inherited.
In addition to the cultural performance, visitors will have the chance to take in Junin’s splendid landscapes and gastronomy.
Regional beauty
Waterfalls, pristine valley landscapes, deeply religious peoples and a national reserve are just some of the wonders to be found in Junin, a region full of surprises.
This remarkable Andean region also boasts extraordinary adventure sports locations: visitors can go rafting in Chanchamayo River or trekking in Huaytapallana snow peak.
Peruvian Exports and Tourism Promotion Board (PromPeru)’s ytuqueplanes.com website features trips on sale, ranging from S/90 (about US$26.8) to S/860 (about US$256.1), depending on length of stay, places to visit, accommodation and food offered.
(END) LZD/DHT/MVB