Big weekend plans? For those of us who are stateside, it may be just another weekend, but for our friends in Peru, they are just wrapping up the year’s biggest party. Carnival is a huge celebration throughout South America. The celebrations begin on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday and conclude at the start of Lent. Because different countries celebrate at different times, the dates are always subject to change; but what is constant is the noise, energy and celebration of music and dance.

Across Peru, the various Carnival queens and revelers showcase their floats and other Carnival paraphernalia. Kate joined in on the party while working for the Peace Corps: “we all danced around a tree, taking turns hacking at it with an axe! It was filled with candy and sweets; and when it finally fell, we scrambled towards the tree, gathering all the candy we could.” Trees filled with candy? Yes, please.

As fun as the party sounds, the preparations begin weeks in advance. There are floats to be made, candy-trees to be harvested and costumes to sew. Many of the costumes incorporate alpaca fiber, oftentimes dyed in rich hues of orange and red. For added flare, alpaca and ribbons can be weaved together, creating a fun and festive look. Elaborate meals are also planned, as Peruvians must engage in all their indulgences before the start of Lent.

As Carnival winds down, we wish our Peruvian friends a happy and safe year. Our artisans are our inspiration, and their culture and traditions are what makes Mayu products so special. For more details on Peruvian culture and lifestyle, stay tuned, we have some yummy recipes brewing at Mayu headquarters!

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