Apurímac Region
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| See other Peruvian regions | ||
| President | Luis Barra | |
| Capital | Abancay | |
| Area | 20,895.79 km² | |
| Population - Total - Density |
463 131 (2002 estimate) 22.2/km² |
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| Subdivisions | 7 provinces and 79 districts | |
| Elevation - Lowest - Highest |
2378 m (Abancay) 3952 m (Pataycampa) |
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| Main resources | Fruit, maize, potato, wheat, eucalyptus. | |
| Poverty rate | 78% | |
| Percentage of country's GDP | 0.42% | |
| Dialing code | 083 | |
| ISO 3166-2 | PE-{{{iso}}} | |
| Official website: www.regionapurimac.gob.pe | ||
Apurímac is a region in central Peru. It is bordered on the east by the Cusco Region, on the west by the Ayacucho Region, and on the south by the Arequipa and Ayacucho regions. The region's name originates from the Quechua language and means "God speaks".
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[edit] Political division
The region is divided into 7 provinces (provincias, singular: provincia), which are composed of 79 districts (distritos, singular: distrito). The provinces, with their capitals in parenthesis, are:
- Abancay (Abancay)
- Andahuaylas (Andahuaylas)
- Antabamba (Antabamba)
- Aymaraes (Chalhuanca)
- Chincheros (Chincheros)
- Cotabambas (Tambobamba)
- Grau (Chuquibambilla)
[edit] History
Little is known about the region's origins, however chroniclers state the fact that the first settlers were formed by tribes of several regions that originated, among them the Quechua Aymarays. The Chancas, originally from Choclococha, Huancavelica, settled in the region of Andahuaylas. This group of tribes are known in history as rebel and fearless warriors of ancient Peru.
Chronicles relate that the Chancas prepared themselves for years to conquer the imperial city of Cusco, but only on account of the great figure and strategy of Inca Pachacutec, the Inca Empire did not yield.
By the time the conquerors established the first political organisation of the Colony, almost the whole extension of the current region was under the jurisdiction of the authorities of Huamanga; nevertheless, there is no recollection on the foundation of cities and towns.
At the beginning of the Republic, Abancay belonged to Cusco. It was not until April 28, 1873 that a law was given to create the department of Apurímac, based on the provinces of Andahuaylas (Ayacucho), Antabamba, Aymaraes and Cotabambas (Cusco), and naming Abancay as its capital.
[edit] Attractions
Besides Abancay, the capital, another tourist attracion in the region is Andahuaylas, a rather cold city, located at 2980 meters above sea level (9800 ft) and the region's most modern city. Its main church is the Cathedral de San Pedro, built in Colonial style architecture. A one-piece stone fountain stands out in the Plaza de Armas. Close to Abancay in the way to Cusco you can find the famed Saywite Stone.
Located 4 km from Andahuaylas, Talavera de la Reyna is another place worth visiting. The main square or Plaza de Armas is remarkable, built in stone with an impressive tower with a clock. Nearby, the thermal baths of Hualalache may be visited. Chalhuanca, the capital of the province of Aymaraes, located at 2800 m.a.s.l. (2,100 ft.), preserves beautiful churches built during Colonial times, containing fine wood carvings and gold leaf. A detailed account of Apurimac's architecture can be found in the works of Peruvian Writer and architect Armando Arteaga.
In Antabamba, trepanations so accurately performed that astonish medicine have been found there. Also, mud sculptures, weapons, domestic utensils, and hunting implements.
Considered one of the largest and most beautiful lagoons of Peru, Laguna de Pacucha is located at 3,000 m.a.s.l. (9,800 ft.) in the route between Andahuaylas and Abancay. It is an ideal place to rest and enjoy nature. Also, fish and duck hunting are allowed.
[edit] Local customs
[edit] Typical dishes and beverages
One of the typical dishes is the watya, that goes back to ancient times. It consists in building a fire surrounded by stones, on the center of which potatoes are placed until done. The ancient settlers used to prepare it during sowing and harvesting.
Also, very well-known in Apurímac is a dish of potatoes and eggs with uchullaqwa (sauce made with chili, cottage cheese and 'wakatay, a very strong tasting Peruvian herb.) Among the variety of breads, we find rejillas, tarapacos, paltos and roscas.
[edit] Festivities
January 1 through 6. New Year's celebrations in Andahuaylas. During those days the Baja de Negros (dancers disguised as black men) takes place. There is entertainment of all sorts, specially religious folklore.
February. Carnivals. The whole town fills the streets to participate in La Yunsa. It is the only opportunity in which Apurímac shows all its folklore, with disguised groups dancing through all the quarters. In Andahuaylas, women and men dance in groups all day and night. In Grau, bullfights are organised, and the day before, the torril velacuy or velada de toros takes place to drive away evil spirits and avoid any harm to the toreros. In Aymaraes, a sling tournament between several districts takes place, a kind of duel, leaving several participants wounded.
May 13. Fiesta de la Virgen de Fátima. Great demonstration of folklore, specially music and dance. Numerous musical groups arrive to Grau to show their arts.
June 24. Farm Products and Livestock Fair in Pachaconas (Antabamba), where the best products of the region are exhibited. A mayordomo, called Carguyoc, is in charge of entertaining the guests.
July 28. Yawar Fiesta in Andahuaylas. A special bullfight in which a condor is tied to the back of the bull. Also, cockfights and the traditional ride to the Pacucha Lagoon, for good trout fishing.
August 15. Fiesta de la Virgen de la Asunción. The people of Grau crowd the streets to take part in processions and prayers. Simultaneously, the tinca or branding of the cattle takes place. In Cotabambas, the festivity is celebrated with the Yawar Fiesta.
September 24. Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes. The whole town of Antabamba is invited to dance, drink, eat or to the bullfights and horse racing.
October 7. Fiesta de la Virgen del Rosario. Everyone in Abancay takes part. There are processions and fireworks. The alferado or mayordomo is responsible for the expenses of the feast.
November 3. The anniversary of the city of Abancay. Celebrated with several sports, folklore and social activities. Also, cockfights and bullfights.
December 8. Fiesta de la Virgen de la Concepción. In Cotabambas, dancing goes on in the main square during three or four nights, before and after the celebrations.
December 25. During Christmas Eve and Christmas, the people of Cotabambas go out to dance in the streets together with disguised dancers. Large crowds salute the Holy Child in adoration with songs and prayers. There are also processions, fireworks and banquets with typical food.
[edit] Significant Artists, Musicians, and Writers
Juan Ezpinoza Medrano, born in Calcauso, Antabamba. An important barroque writer and priest. Jose maria Arguedas, Born in Andahuaylas, poet novelist and antrhopologist. Author of Los Rios Profundos, Todas las Sangres, Los Zorros de Arriba y los Zorros de Abajo and mumerous quechua Poems. Fredy Amilcar Roncalla: poet, essayist, jewelry maker. Born in Chualhuanca, Apurimac 3/25/53
| Political division of Peru |  |
|---|---|
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Amazonas | Ancash | Apurímac | Arequipa | Ayacucho | Cajamarca | Callao | Cusco | Huancavelica | Huánuco | Ica | Junín | La Libertad | Lambayeque | Lima | Loreto | Madre de Dios | Moquegua | Pasco | Piura | Puno | San Martín | Tacna | Tumbes | Ucayali |
|
| The Lima Province is not part of any of the twenty-five regions. |
