Tarata
Tarata festivities
I. The Great Festivities of the Tarata Calendar
The spirit of Tarata is expressed through its most anticipated celebrations, where faith and joy merge.
The Tarata Carnival: The Longest-Lasting Festival
The Tarata Carnival is distinguished by being the festival longer of the year. As This highly popular festival brings together all its residents and visitors, who are infected with enthusiasm from the moment "Ño Carnavalón" enters.
Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are for general play with water, powders, and creams. The dancers form gangs of painted who dance through the streets of Tarata, wrapped in colorful streamers.
Devotion and Harvest: Feast of Saint Benedict and the Crosses
The Feast of Saint Benedict It is a tradition of deep devotion, overseen by the standard-bearers. They ask, between prayers, May the patron saint shower blessings upon us so that we may obtain good harvests, which are intended for the festivities.
For example, Tarata corn is key to the preparation of chicha and the stews that are prepared. In addition, the Festival of the Crosses It is another important celebration in the province.
II. Suits and Clothing: Identity in Wool and Color
The traditional clothing of Tarata is a living testament to its Aymara heritage and its connection with nature.
Women's Clothing: The Pollera and the Anaco
The women of Tarata are characterized by the use of the double skirt of different colors, both the same size (typically green and fuchsia). In a distinctive way, The upper skirt folds slightly upwards and a toe cap secures it at the hip, giving it the shape of a tail.
Besides, the outfit of Anaco either urco (a bottomless black bag) is worn over the body, fastened at the shoulders. Underneath the Anaco are worn two skirts, one green and one pink, which symbolize the vegetation and the joy of the people.
Clothing of the Man of Tarata
The men wear long, tight-fitting black trousers, a woolen shirt, and leather belts around their waists. For inclement weather, They complement their outfits with wool shawls and ponchos, and hats. Specifically, At night they wore wool ponchos and vicuña scarves around their necks.
III. Dances and Music: The Tarata Spirit
Dance and music are at the heart of the festivities, with ancestral and burlesque roots.
Llameritos de Chucatamani: The Conquistador's Satire
This ancestral dance, originating from the Andean region of Tacna, satirizes to the Spanish conqueror. The dancer imitates the invader wearing a mask with green or blue eyes, hissing lips and a European "Bonaparte" style hat. Instead of a whip, They carry a fish-shaped (trout) rattle.
Other important dances are the Dance of the Carnival Group and the Pear Harvest Dance.
The Music of Tarata
The panpipe is the instrument indispensable at the province's festivals. As a peculiarity, These panpipes maintain the tradition of being made from tin. The artisan Irenio Alave Coropuna, a resident of Ticaco, is in charge of crafting these musical instruments.
