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| Gastronomy
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Arequipean cuisine is one of the most
varied in Peru. highlighting particularly:
· Chupe de Camarones:
shrimp soup with milk, eggs and oregano.
· Rocoto Relleno:
Bell peppers gutted and stuffed with
seasoned meat with cheese, milk and potatoes.
· Soltero: Fresh
cheese salad with beans, onion, olives and
bell pepper.
· Adobo Arequipeño:
pork meat flavored with “chicha” (a
grape juice drink) and spices, cooked in a
pan.
· Ocopa: baked
potatoes garnished with a sauce of fresh
cheese, beans, onion, olives and bell pepper.
· Escribano:
potato salad with bell pepper, vinegar, oil,
tomato and parsley.
· Pebre: soup
from lamb’s meat, beef, salted lamb or dried
mutton.
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| *Photographs: PromPerú |
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Brief
Historical Review |
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Evidence
of the first inhabitants has been left in the
form of rupestrian art which goes back more
than 8000 years. Among the different groups
who have lived in Arequipa, the Collaguas were
the most important, being a people skilled in
weaving and owners of great herds of alpaca.
The name Arequipa is linked to an ancient
legend. It is said that on one occasion, the
Inca Mayta Cápac passed through this land
with his soldiers and decided to camp there,
but on giving the order to leave, some of his
soldiers asked if they could be left there.
The Inca then responded in Quechua "ari
quepay", which means "yes, stay
here."
On August 15, 1540, Garci Manuel de Carbajal
and almost a hundred Spaniards founded the
city of Arequipa in the name of Francisco
Pizarro. Built at the foot of the Misti
volcano, in the passage of time the city
became the center of Spanish and Creole
influence.
During the life of the Republic, Arequipa was
the cradle of revolutionary political
proposals and the scenario for confrontation
between various leaders. Great politicians of
the XIX Century, such as Francisco Javier de
Luna Pizarro, President of the Congress on
several occasions, and Nicolás de Piérola, a
revolutionary and President of Peru, are only
some of the illustrious figures who were born
in this Department.
In the XIX Century, Arequipa became an
important export center of sheep and alpaca
wool to England, thus succeeding in
consolidating its economic strength in the
country.
Presently, Arequipa still maintains, without
any doubt whatsoever, its economic leadership
and has become the commercial and industrial
center of the south of the country.
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Tourist Attractions |
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 Folklore
Arequipa has a great variety of dances
and musical expressions that are complemented
with the rich, multicolored clothing of male
and female dancers. The most characteristic
dances are the Arequipean Carnival Dance,
which is a typical group dance for the
celebration of the city carnivals and the
anniversary of the founding of the city
(August 15); the Yaraví dance, of Quechua
origin, and the Pampeña dance considered as
the primitive huayno, in which the dancers are
dressed as “chacarero”(Person who works
and lives on a “chacra” or farm).
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Festivities
 Fiesta
de la Virgen de Chapi
(May)
Province
of Arequipa, District
of Miraflores, and
Province of Islay,
District of Cayma.
Traditional procession
to the Chapi
Sanctuary, about 90 km
from the city of
Arequipa. Usually a
promise is made to the
Virgin to hold the
procession for three
consecutive years.
 Anniversary
of the city of
Arequipa (August)
Province
of Arequipa, District
of Arequipa.
For this celebration,
the Arequipa
International Fair is
held (located on Cerro
de Juli), handicraft
exhibitions in Fundo
del Fierro, the Dance
Festival - Festidanza,
and the International
Climbing Competition
of the Misti volcano.
On the main day,
August 15, the
Friendship Parade is
held.
Anniversary
of Cotahuasi (May 04)
Province
of La Unión, District
of Cotahuasi.
This
is the most important
folkloric fiesta in
the province. There
are bull fights, group
dance competitions and
visits to various
attractions in the
region are promoted.
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 Craftwork
In Arequipa, embossed leatherwork is
done for the production of belts, stationery
and furniture, saddles, decorative items; and
forged ironwork for manufacturing street
lamps, railings, lamps and decorative
furniture.
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