By: Jose Lopez.
Perú is the country of diversity, it is in the central
and western South America, has an estimated
population of 26'000,000 inhabitants, and 28
types of weather.
Perú is divided into three natural
regions longitudinally oriented north to south:
the coast (Costa), narrow strip of
desert where Lima and Peru's major cities are
located, the mountains (Sierra), breathtaking
mountain landscapes and colorful towns,
and the forest (Selva), lush greenery and wide
variety of flora and fauna.
Topics
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Customs and Culture.
Tourism.
Gastronomy.
Asian descendant in Perú.
Customs and Culture
• Peruvians tend to try to accommodate and please others.
• Peruvians have a relaxed concept of time, so meetings do not
necessarily start on time.
• Peruvians are more interested in relationships than a time
schedule.
• Families are very important.
• When introducing themselves for the first time, members of the
opposite sex shake hands. Men who know each other well will
shake hands or pat each other on the back.
• Women who know each other will kiss each other on one cheek.
• Friends will call each other by first names. Older people will be
addressed by title and last name.
• Professionals will be addressed by their professional title and last
name, e.g., Dr. Adams.
• Peruvians use a lot of hand gestures and are animated when they
talk.
• People also stand very close to each other and touch each other.
Maintaining eye contact is important.
Marinera
Huaino
Danza
selvática
Alcatráz
Customs and Culture
• Peruvians wear western-style clothing in urban areas. They tend
to dress up when going into public. It is inappropriate to go out of
the house wearing dirty or old clothing.
• The ethnic groups in Peru include Indians, Europeans of Spanish
descent, Non-Spanish Europeans, African descendants, Chinese,
and Japanese. The major ethnic groups are Indians and
Europeans of Spanish descent. Most Peruvians live in urban areas
and over half of the Peruvians are under 15.
• The official languages of Peru are Spanish, Quechua (Indian), and
Aymara (Indian).
• Peruvians generally speak both Spanish and one Indian language
(specially in some parts of the Sierra). There are actually over 40
Indian languages in Peru. Peruvians with a more formal
education (usually in the Coast) might also know English.
• The official religion in Peru is Christianity (Catholicism). The
denomination is the Roman Catholic Church.
• There are also Protestant and Evangelic churches there as well.
Among the Indians, beliefs may be mixed between Christianity
and traditional beliefs.
Source:© 2002 by University of Michigan Health Systems
Developed by Duren and Associates, Inc
For further reading:
• Culture Briefings (www.culturebriefings.com)
Marinera
Huaino
Danza
selvática
Alcatráz
Customs and Culture
Perú has different customs, such as every village has its way of
cooking, dress, talk and have fun.
Perú is a happy country. Peruvians love to dance. But our
dances also differ, for example, on the coast (Costa) they dance the
marinera where the guitar and the cajón (a box made of wood) are
used.
Another dance is the huaino, which is danced in the mountains
(Sierra) and is one of the oldest dances of our country, is a strong
and agile footwork.
There is also the alcatraz. This is danced by african descendants in
Perú. The woman has a handkerchief tied to her back, and the
man tries to fire/light it with a candle, while dancing. The cajón and
guitar set the pace in this fun dance.
In the forest (Selva) there is the dance of the gang. People travel the
streets with this dance, as he goes tearing down the "umsha"
or decorated tree.
Marinera
Huaino
Danza
selvática
Alcatráz
Cebiche
Gastronomy
The cuisine of Perú is the one of most diverse in the world, as evidenced by
the fact that it is the largest number of dishes in the world, totaling 491
and they reached a level equivalent to that of French, Chinese, and Indian
cuisine.
The cuisine has been the meeting point of different cultures, it is
often attractive because of its colorful and sometimes for
their spicy flavor from the chili. Rice is a food that accompanies many dishes of
Peruvian cuisine popularized mainly by the Cantonese Chinese influence.
Chicha morada
Para a la
huancaína
Pisco sour
Each region of Perú has some distinctive features. The ceviche, chili chicken/hen
(aji de gallina) and rice with chicken (arroz con pollo) are some samples
of cuisine from many parts of the coast, the pachamanca or the spicy guinea
pig, from different corners of the mountains (Sierra), and the
jerky with tacacho, chonta salad and the delicious juanes, of our forest (Selva).
Among the desserts, we can mention the picarones that are made on the basis
of sweet potato and pumpkin, served with honey, the mousse of lúcuma
that is the basis of this delicious fruit, the delicious rice pudding (arroz con
leche), the mazamorra morada, among others.
Among the most outstanding beverages, we drink the chicha morada which
is made with purple corn boiled, which once cool, are added chunks of
pineapple, lemon drops, sugar, and ice. The pisco sour has been named lately by
some people as the national drink. This liquor is made of grapes from two local
varieties of grapes (uva): the uva quebranta and the uva Italia (Italy grape), that
grow in some regions of Perú.
Arroz con
pollo
Juane
Mousse de
lúcuma
Picarones
Tourism
Perú has three geographical regions which in themselves are
extreme opposites. One such region is in the Amazon basin, called Selva
Peruana, where new species of birds and other animals and plants are
still being documented and so far are completely unknown to science. In
this area of Perú where tourists can visit jungles
and cities accessible only by air. Iquitos and Pucallpa are two of the most
important cities in this region.
The high Andes is a world in itself, it is named the Peruvian Andes and is
located in the Sierra Peruana. The height can be significant enough
to initially create some slightly different feelings in the body. The view
and scenery of the snowy mountains is impressing, the pleasant
climate and the features of the Inca culture, both in stone and in the
gracious character of those who live there, make you feel like
you are walking through the pages one of those books of fantasy
literature. Machu Picchu is located here in the city of Cuzco.
The Coast (Costa) of Perú is not at all like what we have
already mentioned. The climate is dry to the point that in many parts is
desert. The capital, Lima, is located in this area as well as other major
cities like Arequipa, Trujillo, Chiclayo. In addition to the normal places
found in the big cities, here there are archaeological sites and cultural
areas very interesting to tourists. But Perú does not end there,
nature continues to impress the visitor beyond the coast. Not far
away there are islands where millions of birds and colonies of sea
lions live together.
Machupicchu
Nevado Huascarán
Líneas de Nazca
Catedral de Lima
Asian descendant in PERU
Immigration in Perú is an activity that has occurred since
the time of the first immigrants.
The first Chinese arrived at Perú in 1849 to
fulfill tasks in the guano islands and coastal haciendas, they
allowed a significant increase in the production of sugar
cane and cotton because of their ancestral knowledge of
farm work and his physical effort, this allowed the economic
stability of their employers, the Peruvian elite.
Chinese culture, revolutionized the Peruvian cuisine,
earning international recognition for those who have had a
chance to taste it when visiting our country.
Video Marca Perú