Whether you're walking Peru's wonderful landscapes, or taking some time out in the beautiful cities, you will find yourself taking in many of the country's intriguing and respected traditions. The traditions of Peru are both long-standing and of great importance to many Peruvians - here are some to look out for.
Traditional Dress
When you're walking Peru, no doubt you will want to be dressed in your most comfortable attire, however, the same cannot always be said of your Peruvian counterparts. In many rural areas of the country, you will still find women dressed in the traditional clothing of the Incan times, though it has certainly evolved as time and practicality have intervened. Though colours may differ slightly according to area and location, the traditional Incan 'anacu' has been transformed to a long skirt, worn with many petticoats and often featuring wonderfully vivid colours and detailed embroidery. Ponchos are another item of clothing that you can expect to see, traditionally worn since the 17th century and still being used as protection from the weather by those working the land. To top off these outfits, you will mostly see people wearing either woolen or straw hats that will often be dazzlingly colourful.
Traditional Weaving
Of course, these wonderful clothes must be produced somewhere, and are often done so still using the traditional art of Andean weaving that has been passed down by each generation over the years. The process begins with the rearing of animals such as alpacas, llamas and sheep from which woollen fibre can be taken at a later date. This wool is then washed and spun into threads which are then dyed a wonderful variety of colours. Animal, plant and mineral dyes are used in this time-consuming but worthwhile process. Once the wool has been turned into threads, the weaving can begin but this long-standing tradition can take a while to complete, with even a simple scarf often taking two or three weeks to make. You will come across a lot of this intricately woven material during your time walking Peru, as these goods form a large part of Peruvian culture.
Traditional Fare
Peru is known for its culinary charms, and these talents are not new to the country, but have evolved over many, many years. For a traditional snack, you may want to try the local dish 'Huaitia', which consists of oca - a plant found in the Andes - and potatoes, baked together in a mud hearth. Other traditional fare includes 'chairo', a soup made of lamb, 'chalona' a dish consisting of dried meats, or even 'lechon al horno' which is a dish based around oven baked pork. For those who wish to be more adventurous whilst walking Peru, there are of course other meats to be enjoyed. From alpaca to guinea pig, there is no doubting the fact that cooking is a great tradition in Peru, and the skills and recipes required have been passed down over many generations.
As you are walking Peru you may well start to feel as though you have stepped back in time thanks to the wonderful ways in which the Peruvian culture has embraced and incorporated the old ways into modern day life. These ancient traditions of Peru are revered not only by the inhabitants of the country, but by all those who visit.
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