Popular Culture
Although Peru has a very unique folk culture and set of traditions, there are things that they do that are similar to things we do in the United States. For example, their biggest sport is Soccer. Soccer is a very popular sport all over the world. Technology and social media have spread the promotion of differen sports all over the world and that is why Soccer is so big. The television is a main reason why some sports are so popular in other countries like Peru. Furthermore, another example of popular culture in Peru would be all of the fashion shows and fashion magazines that they have. The internet has played a major role in showing off different and new fashion trends around the world. Even Peru, has been picking up these trends and models have been wearing those styles at shows and in magazines because of the internet and social media. Fast food restaurants have also diffused to other countries through technology. In the image above, it is clear that there are places such as Pizza Hut even in Peru because of technology. All of these technological advances are because of the younger generation. Therefore, as this generation grows much older, the diffusion of popular culture will become and bigger and bigger part of the lives of people all around the world.
Folk Culture
In Peru, the culture is a set of beliefs and customs inherited from the native Incas and Spanish conquistadors. Immigrants from other areas such as Africa, China, and Europe, have also greatly contributed to the culture of Peru. In the Peruvian culture, family is extremely important. It is commonplace, for families to habitate together. Younger family members are responsible for the care and wellbeing of their elders. Art is an integral aspect of Peruvian culture. For example, native Amerindians spin cotton, alpaca, llama, and sheep wool. This raw material is then converted into cloth which is utilized to make clothing. Present day Peruvians also hand make crafts such as jewelry and woodcarvings. Peruvian crafts are in fact some of the most varied in the world. In addition to craftsmanship, music and dance play a significant role in the folk culture of Peru. There are many different types of music and dances in different regions of Peru. For example, music on the coast, is called Criollo music and comes from the origins of Spain and Africa. Andean influences can best be heard in wind instruments. African influences can best be heard in the rhythm and percussion instruments used. While European influences are most noted in the harmonies of songs. These images illistrate and depict aspects of the Peruvian culture. Peru has approximately 3,000 annual popular festivals. Therefore, it is clear that folk culture plays a vital role in the every- day life of modern Peru.
Housing
In the pictures above, are Peruvian houses. Interestingly, Peruvian homes usually do not have garages. Public transportation in Peru is usually relatively cheap in price. Therefore, the people in Peru usually do not own cars. Without cars, there is no need for garages in their homes. Furthermore, the streets and roads in Peru are relatively narrow and do not accommodate cars, which is another reason for why they do not have automobiles and why they don't have garages. Around 12% of Peru's population lives in the Amazon rain forest, so the houses there need to coincide with the environment and climate. Obviously, smaller homes are more attainable because of their cheaper prices. Therefore, more people are more likely to buy smaller houses in this area because they are more affordable. That is very clearly shown in the pictures above by the large amount of relatively smaller homes. Peruvian architecture is mostly inspired by European styles as well as ideas from indigenous people. The independence wars have also greatly influenced the architectural design of Peru by adding French styles to the buildings in Peru. However, before Peru started to view French architecture as their way of building designs, they also adopted some of the styles of the Spanish architecture. In the late 18th and 19th century, the neoclassical style formed from original ideas from Greco-Roman architecture. This type of architecture is what inspired the homes to have things such as columns, straight lines, and simplicity to the houses. These architectural styles are not necessarily unique to my country because they received styles and ideas on building designs from other countries and areas and altered them to go well with their climate and physical features. In the pictures above, there are some similarities such as contrast in color for all of the houses and they are relatively smaller in size. Peru is considered a less developed country and that is somewhat reflective on the housing situations. For example, the fact the smaller size of homes is more affordable for the population living there, shows that they are less wealthy as a population.
Food
There are approximately 4,000 types of potatoes in Peru and they are grown in many different ways to coincide with the climate changes in the country. Peruvian camote (sweet potatoes) are used in a large variety of Peruvian dishes. The peruvian sea holds over 700 different fish species which are caught and also used in many Peruvian dishes. Peruvian cuisine is a reflection of local ingrediants. Peruvian food is inspired by different places. European cuisine such as Spanish, Italian, and German have influenced cooking techniques and recipes in the Peruvian culture. The four tradition staples of Peruvian food are corn, beans, potatoes, and quinoa. Staples inspired by the Spanish include: quinoia, kiwichia, and chili peppers. Peru is considered an important center of genetic diveristy of crops. Sweet potatoes in Peru were introduced from Central America. Peruvian food is a combination of different cooking techniques. Folk and pop culture play a large roll in the food that Peruvians eat. Furthermore, folk culture and old traditions have influenced the foods that Peruvians eat in the way that their way of life depicts their eating habits. Social media and other technological use spreads the ideas of other recipes and eating habits that gives them new ideas for their food preferrences. Therefore, culture plays a major role in the every-day eating habits of the country of Peru.
Clothing
Traditional Peruvian skirts are called Polleras. Most clothing is made from cloth that is made from wool. Most clothing is handmade. Usually Peruvian dresses for women are relatively colorful. They usually wear multiple skirts for layering affects. Nowadays, it is relatively common to see large safety pins as decoration. They even make sandals from recycled truck tires. Part of the Peruvian folk culture is craftmanship. They use their resources to make cloth and they have craftsmanship skills that they use to make clothing. Men usually wear western style clothing. The most significant part of men's clothing is a handwoven poncho. The seasons are hard to predict at times and it could rain at any time so the ponchos are for practical use. Most traditional clothing articles have geometric shapes and colorful designs. This also an example of folk culture. Furthermore, the traditions of clothing haven't changed significantly over generations. Peruvians have been wearing this traditional clothing for many generations. This shows that the impact of popular culture has not taken over the country of Peru. That is easy to see because if popular culture had taken over the country, they would not still dress in tradition clothing. They would have started wearing popular styles of clothing because of social media and the internet.
Entertainment
One of the main things that Peruvians do for entertainment is sing songs and dance. There are many different types of songs and dance throughout the country based on the region of Peru. For example, Afro-Peruvian music has become fairly popular among the younger generation of Peru. Peruvians also play sports for entertainment. The different ethnic groups that have migrated to Peru have also left behind a very rich musical heritage. For example, both musica criolla of Spanish influence and Andean folk music are extremely popular. Soccer in particular, is a very popular sport to play in Peru. In addition to sports, they also make art and different types of crafts. At night, older people usually go to Western style bars and discos where traditional Peruvian folk music is played. In Lima, the capital of Peru, there are many music halls, book shops, theaters, and a lot of art galleries an Peruvians can go and enjoy themselves with all of those things. Also popular in Peru, are soap operas. Venezuela and Mexico produce these soap operas that Peruvians enjoy watching. Those evening shows are quite popular in Peru. Also popular in Peru for entertainment, are musical shows such as Alcatraz which is a traditional Afro-Peruvian fire dance. From all of the aspects of Peruvian entertainment it is clear that folk and popular both play a large roll in the entertainment of Peruvians.
Religion
There are many different types of religions in Peru. 77% of the population in Peru are part of the Roman Catholic Religion. The Roman Catholic beliefs are rooted in the New Testament of the Bible. Roman Catholics believe that Jesus was the son of God and that he was the Messiah. Roman Cathlocism is a universalizing religion because it is a sect of Christianity which is a universalzing religion. There are many churches in Peru, where Peruvians go to pray and worship. Religion is a big part of their culture. 10% of the population is Protestant. Protestant is another form of Christianity. There are many similarities and differences between the religions. In the 1980s and 90s, Peru experienced extreme internal violent conflict. The Shining Path, a far left guerrilla group, categorized religion and religious leaders as enemies that needed to be persecuted. The Christians had to refuse to cooperate with these violent ideas which to the Shining Path, was confirmation that they were enemies. The region of Ayacucho was their significant focus because it was a largely religious reigion of Peru. 40% of the total number of Peruvian victims were from that region. The guerrillas actively attacked religious leaders and killed an enormous amount of people. They saw religious leaders and people as enemies and threats and started conflicts over religious idealogies in Peru.
Indigenous People
There are approximately 51 indigenous peoples in Peru. By far the largers group are the highland Quechua. Over 8 million people in Peru identify themselves as Quechua. Around 48% of Peru's population is made up of indigenous peoples. This is a great example of how folk culture ties in with the country of Peru. All of these different groups of people brought their traditions with them and that is where a lot of Peru's folk culture comes from. Examples of Indogeneous peoples include Achuar, Aguaruna, Ashaninka, Quechua, and Aymara. The Aymara population is concentrated in the southern highland region of Peru near Puno. However, Peruivans of African descent tend to be concentrated in the southern coastal regions. Indigenous groups such as Ashninka and Quechua are lowland. Native leaders in the Amazon have formed their own ethnic federations around the time of the 1970s. Furthermore, Peru was one of the first Latin American republics to establish relations with the Japanese empire. Many Japanese are owners and operators in small shops and bars in Peru. In Modern-day Peru, they constitute one of the country's most influential ethnic minorities. Overall, Peru has a relatively diverse population which is part of major evidence that a very unique and distinctive folk culture exists in Peru.