On November 5, more than 500 actors will participate in a reenactment of Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo emerging from the waters of Lake Titicaca, announced Alexander Quispe Huaracha, president of the Regional Folklore Federation, in honor of the 358th anniversary of the Spanish founding of the city of Puno.
It should be noted that on November 4, 1668, the Viceroy of Peru, Pedro Antonio Fernández de Castro (Count of Lemos), founded what is now the capital of the Puno department, originally named San Juan Bautista de Puno.
The performance will receive official support from the Peruvian Army, with participation from the Technical School for Non-Commissioned Officers of the Peruvian National Police. The organizing committee has also invited other institutions to join the rehearsals for the event.
Quispe Huaracha stated that the Federation will evaluate proposals from those wishing to portray the mythical couple, after which the selection of the lead actors for the reenactment will be announced.
The Federation president noted that there are proposals to bring in nationally recognized actors to add prestige to the performance; the organization aims to enhance the city's tourist appeal and attract visitors from both within Peru and abroad.
As was the case last year, the procession will depart from one of the Uros floating islands and arrive at the Navy station; the route will then continue along Avenida Sesquicentenario, ending at the stadium of the National University of the Altiplano (UNA) in Puno.
Arrival at the National University of the Altiplano stadium is scheduled for between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.; the reenactment will feature the mythical couple and their entourage as part of the celebration.
At 12:00 noon on November 5, the ritual ceremony of Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo will take place at the stadium. During the event, the couple will deliver a forecast for the 2026–2027 agricultural season—a prediction eagerly awaited by farmers and agricultural producers in the Puno region.
Following the ceremony, there will be performances of traditional indigenous dances, which are part of the qualifying stage for the 2027 Feast of the Virgin of Candelaria (Festividad Virgen de la Candelaria). This event aims to blend tradition and cultural identity while promoting the region’s heritage.
The Federation has set the admission price at ten soles, with free entry for uniformed schoolchildren. The organizing committee hopes the performance will attract a larger number of both domestic and international tourists.
The organizing committee is coordinating support from military and police institutions and is also inviting new participants to join; the evaluation of proposals will determine who will portray the mythical couple.
The reenactment is part of the anniversary celebrations for the city of Puno and is intended to strengthen cultural identity. The organizers are aiming for a more compelling presentation, featuring a greater number of performers and visitors.
The program for November 5 will include a procession starting from the Uros islands, the ritual ceremony, and the traditional indigenous dances. As announced by the Federation, the event will conclude with a promotional segment for the 2027 Candelaria festival.
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Published: 10/29/2026