Mamacha Carmen, a festival of faith and love for the Mother of God. [English]
Among the many images of the Virgin Mary, under the name of Carmen that exist in the world, there is one that attracts the attention of Catholic parishioners, not just for its unique beauty but by the great affection with the locals and visitors honored even received the canonical coronation. This is the “Mamacha Carmen revered in Paucartambo Province in our region of Cusco.
Many stories are woven around the presence of the image, the most successful is the fact that from one of the largest estates in this town went in procession the image of Maria del Carmen and was taken to the small village temple for celebration of Corpus, the redskins were revealed, burned farms, killed the “white” and arrows wounded the chest and the eyes of the Virgin, and threw the Amaru Mayu River (Snake River), which has since Mother of God called for dragging the image of the Virgin and having landed on an island, a place from which it recovered and later moved to Paucartambo. For the Spanish, find the picture was a miracle and also for the natives themselves, since then drag an immense faith and devotion that motivates all and sundry to celebrate this holiday every year.
‘Each year this festival is done with great devotion, it is mixed with colorful dances and traditions that have Paucartambo province”.
At 12:00 hours the festival will begin with the outbreak of twelve mortars or rockets, followed by the ringing of bells and melodies of bands.
Then take out the entry of extras and then the traditional “cera apaycuy” (take wax), which is the greeting offered to the” Mamacha Carmen “authorities, stewards and parishioners who bring gifts.
At night he performs the “qonoy” or fire, in which the q’olqas, the maqtas and Chunchus, the staged purgatory, boasting of his cunning and skill, through runs and acrobatic jumps. Continue the fireworks and will be held at 21:30 hours the serenade in honor of the Virgin.
On Friday 16 (central day), at 04:00 pm and will officiate the Mass of aurora and 09:00 am Mass will be celebrated holiday, in which the qollas and black Qhapac, and people interpret songs.
After the Mass of celebration, the groups walk the streets and squares. with authority of the steward be made the “forest”, in which the Colla, from a balcony, throwing miniature dolls and furniture.
According to the schedule, at 15:00 takes place the first procession of the Virgen del Carmen on the main streets of the province accompanied by the faithful and visitors. At 20:30 hours there will be a popular party.
The next day, there will be a pilgrimage in which the dancers go to the cemetery to visit deceased dancers. In the afternoon we will conduct the second procession, in which the image will pour his blessings to the four regions.
Then, the population and visitors will be directed to the plaza to attend the traditional guerrilla between “Qolla” and “Antis”, this time also involved the “Saqra” and “wacas wacas.”
On Sunday 18 July, the Virgen del Carmen is placed near the baptismal font of the temple, at whose foot is made the traditional “ocarikuy”, which is the representation of children and adolescents to be blessed by the priest, thus culminate the festivities.
Sources : ‘www.andina.com.pe’ , ‘www.correoperu.com.pe’
