The Carnival as an Andean Ritual System: Music, Dance, and Reciprocity in Achoma (Colca Valley, Peru)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52603/rec.2026.39.01Keywords:
carnival, The Andes, ritual system, cultural heritageAbstract
This article examines Achoma’s festive cycle in Peru’s Colca Valley, tracing the carnival sequence from tinkachi to kacharpari through organizational-economic, musical, performative, and culinary dimensions. Using participant observation across the full cycle, interviews with local knowledge bearers, and triangulation with community audiovisual records, the study addresses gaps on festive sponsorship, local leadership, and women’s roles. Findings show that the cabecillas’ mayordomía sustains the celebration by mobilizing ayni-based reciprocity and prestige to secure musicians, food, and chicha. The traditional ensemble of lawatas, tarola, and bombo structures pukllay and drives contrapunteo between Hanansaya and Urinsaya. Female troupes lead the public performance and enact collective agency. Overall, the carnival operates as a ritual system that reproduces reciprocity, leadership, and gendered participation while negotiating heritage-making processes that reshape meaning and intergenerational continuity.
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