Peru+-+Culture

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 * General Information || Geography || History || Culture || Political System || Economies || Activities || Teacher's Page  || Peru Home ||

=** Education **=

Children in Peru begin going to school at age 6 to a primary school. From ages 12-14 they go to a general secondary school. From ages 14-16 they choose between 2 three-year programs: an academic track and a technical track. The education system of Peru also provides over 300,000 students with special services for those who have special needs and disabilities. The school year begins in April and ends in December. (State University)





= Language =

Peru speaks three languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Below are some popular phrases spoken in each of the three languages.

**Spanish** Hello - hola What is your name? cuál es su nombre My name is _ - mi nombre es How old are you? - cómo es viejo es usted Where are you going? - donde está usted que va Please - por favor Thank you - gracias You're welcome - recepción de you're Goodbye - adiós **Quechua** Hello - rimaykullayki, napaykullayki What is your name? - Imataq sutiyki? My name is _ - ñuqap ... sutiymi Please - allichu Thank you - añay Where are you from? - Maymantataq hamunki? You're welcome - ni imamanta What is that? - ima chayri? Goodbye - rikunakusun **Aymara** Hello - kamisaraki yes - jisa no - jani Good morning - winus tiyas How are you? - kunjamaskatasa? Thank you - yuspagara Where are you from? - Maymantataq hamunki? Goodbye - jakisiñkama (Source - Earthy Family)

=** Religions **=

Peru practices freedom of religion. This means that there are laws that say that any individual may practice any religion that he or she chooses. The majority of Peruvians are Roman Catholic; they comprise of 81% of the population. Some other religions represented are Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhism. In the 1530s the Spanish introduced the Catholic religion to the people of Peru and built many churches and cathedrals. There are still many religious buildings built by the Spanish scattered across Peru. (Maps of the World)



=** National Holidays **=

The //Fiestas Patrias peruanas// or the Peruvian National holidays are a two-day celebration of Peru's independence. July 28 is the day Peru celebrates General Jose de San Martin, the liberator of their country. At dawn of this morning a 21 cannon salute begins a flag-raising ceremony. Throughout the month of July homes, office buildings, public and private institutions, school and restaurants all display the national flag. It is rare to see a building without the flag during this month. On July 29 the Peruvians celebrate the Armed Forces and National Police of Peru. The Great Military Parade is carried on this day and all three branches of government are represented in the parade. If there is a newly elected President, July 28 is the day he is sworn into office. He will also give his first Address to the Nation that day. (Fiestas Patrias)





=** Music **=

Peruvian music is very diverse because of both its Incan and Spanish influences and its regional influences. Peruvian music includes traditional music, coastal Peruvian music, Andean Peruvian music and Peru Negro to name a few.

Elementary school children playing traditional music at a city square. media type="youtube" key="pB8QNruep6Q?fs=1" height="276" width="344" align="center"

Two Peruvian teenagers dancing the Marinera, a style of music and dance from the coast of Peru. media type="youtube" key="S7doYZJ2WY8?fs=1" height="229" width="384" align="center"

A street performance by Peruvian Andean musicians media type="youtube" key="Qk68sDgO1EA?fs=1" height="307" width="384" align="center"

The national instrument is the charango, a type of mandolin. (Maps of the World)





=** Food **=

Peruvian cuisine stems from a combination of Spanish and the naive peoples tastes. As more cultures entered Peru such as China, Italy, West Africa and Japan they bought their unique cuisines with them and now Peru has very distinctive tastes. The three traditional staples of the Peruvians beans, potatoes, and corn.
 * Popular Dishes and Foods**
 * Ceviche** A dish that can be found in almost every resturant in Peru. It is generally made with bite-sized chunks of raw white fish, normally sea bass. The fish is marinated in lemon or lime juice, onions and chilies. Traditionally it is served with boiled sweet potatoes or corn.
 * Cuy** Fried guinea pig.
 * Sopa** Soup. It is a common dish to have for breakfast.
 * Lucuma** A nut-flavored, orange-colored fruit found in many desserts. (South America)



=** Sports **=

The most popular sport in Peru is soccer, or futball as it is known there. Peru qualified in the FIFA World Cup in 1970, 1978, and 1982 and reached the quarterfinals in 1970. Futball is a very important sport to the Peruvians and it has gained significance in the country because of the support from its people. (Maps of the World) The next popular sport is volleyball, followed by bullfighting and racing. Tennis and basketball have gained somewhat popularity in the country. Other activities include mountain trekking, fishing and surfing. (Maps of the World)



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