The main customs and traditions of Loreto are the San Juan festival, Iquitos Tourist Week, the Corpus Christi celebration, the Iquitos Carnival, and Iquitos' founding day.
In Loreto, popular festivities revolve around the Christian faith, its culture, history and economic activity of the region, as is the case in other departments of the Peruvian Amazon.
Other religious festivals that are part of Loreto's festive calendar are the Religious Festival of Santa Clara, the Purísima Festival and the Feast of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception.
The 5 main traditions of Loreto
1- Feast of San Juan
It is the most emblematic and famous celebration of all the peoples of the Peruvian Amazon. In Iquitos, the capital of the department of Loreto, the most important religious holiday takes place.
The festival of San Juan takes place on June 24th. Beforehand, or on the morning of the same day, parishioners go to the rivers to take a purification bath. Then they go to the temples for mass in honor of the saint.
In Iquitos, mass is celebrated in the San Juan neighborhood, from where the procession with the patron saint is accompanied by traditional musical bands.
Then the party is held with the “humishas”, which are palm trees loaded with gifts around which the “gangs” dance.
2- Corpus Christi
This is another very important religious holiday for the population of the Loreto department.
Corpus Christi is celebrated in May with a series of liturgical ceremonies, accompanied by harvests and typical foods.
Traditionally, people gather in the main square of the city or in the town of the department.
After the processions and masses are over, the popular celebration begins amidst the excitement of this type of celebration.
3- Iquitos Carnival
This popular holiday takes place in the city of Iquitos and lasts about a month, between February and March, just the hottest period of the year.
According to popular mythology, jungle demons come out to have fun during this period and closely observe the fun and excitement on the streets of the cities in this region of the country.
People enjoy watching the troupes dance to the rhythm of the flute and drums, while drinking typical drinks.
4- Iquitos Tourist Week
It is a very important activity for the department of Loreto and the entire Peruvian Amazon region.
During Iquitos Tourism Week, which is celebrated from June 21st to 27th, the San Juan Festival is also held, so there are a large number of people during these days in the city.
The program of this celebration includes exhibitions and promotional events for regional tourism, which include samples of food and craft fairs.
Cultural activities are also held, such as competitions, typical dances and artistic and musical events.
5- Iquitos Foundation
Iquitos was founded on January 5, 1864, as a river port on the Amazon River. For this reason, on January 5 of each year, its authorities hold ceremonial activities, including civic-military parades and official ceremonies.
The parades showcase the region's folklore and the city's institutional representation.
References
- Loreto Department Festivals. Retrieved November 20 from el-peru.net
- Customs and traditions of the regions of Peru. Retrieved from customs.blogspot.com
- Sotil García, Gabel Daniel. Iquitos and its foundation. FCEH – UNAP. Accessed at unapiquitos.edu.pe
- Iquitos Consulted at iglesiacatolica.org.pe
- Traditions and customs of the Peruvian jungle. Accessed at blogitravel.com
- Holiday Calendar – Loreto. Accessed at costumbresperu.jimdo.com