Anniversary of Huallanca

Peru is really big on celebrating anniversaries. And not so much anniversaries of married couples, but more like anniversaries of when cities and institutions got started like cities, schools, government buildings, health centers, etc. For each anniversary, they throw a big party and have a major celebration, especially for anniversaries of towns. Huallanca had their anniversary on November 21 and I got to be a part of the madness. There were parades, costumes, traditional dances, lots of drinking, eating traditional Huallanquina food, rooster fighting, fireworks, and they brought a somewhat well known cumbia band to play in the plaza and thousands of Huallanquinos danced the night away until past 4am. It was really fun to see the pride that people have for the small town of Huallanca!

Here are some photos from it all!:

The kids dancing the famous dance of "Los negritos". 

My students dressed up for the dance of "Los negritos". 

Rooster fighting...it makes me cringe watching because I think its sad but people in Peru are obsessed and in big cities even bet thousands of dollars in rooster fights. 

The winning rooster. People really wanted me to take a picture of him haha. 

One of my counterpart holding up the Huallanquina flag. Yes, Huallanca has its own flag! 

Kids dressed up in costumes during the parade. 

Dressed up as bull fighters haha. 

The band that came to play in the plaza...yes they are all wearing bright blue blazers!