Puno Day in Peru (05/11)

Every year in early November in Peru, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, «Puno Day is celebrated, dedicated to the founding of the ancient Inca empire.

According to Native American legend, Inca progenitors — Manco Capac and his sister and wife Mamá Occlo — emerged from Lake Titicaca and created the world, stars, and first people and built the ancient city of Puno. They were looking for a place where Manco Capac's golden staff would enter the ground. Having found it, they founded the Inca city.

Manco Capac, according to oral Inca tradition, the first Inca, son of the Sun and Moon, was sent by the Sun to Earth to save people from barbarism and mutual extermination, teach agriculture and crafts and establish the cult of «genuine» gods: the Sun, Moon and « creator of the world» — Pachacamaca.

Today, the city of Puno is the capital of the province of Puno and is located on a commercial route from Bolivia passing through Lake Titicaca.

According to tradition, the holiday in honor of the city — is a very colorful and vibrant event. Celebrations begin in the first week of November and culminate on November 5. During the Days of Puno there is a magnificent procession and costume dances in honor of the birth of the Inca Empire. Place de Armas becomes the center of military parades, music and other festive events. Gastronomic and craft fairs, music and dance performances are also held.

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