Yunza: Tree Dancing

Yunza is a tradition that takes place during carnaval in the mountains of Peru. It is very fun and interesting because it involves people decorating a tree with small gifts and then dancing around the tree for hours. My neighborhood holds a big Yunza party every year and this year I had the pleasure of participating. This took place about a month ago but I have not have

To celebrate Yunza, a tree is cut down, adorned with balloons and small gifts, and then put up in the middle of the road. People then dance around the tree for literally hours and hours (they even dances through the pouring rain!) and of course they drink as well. Another part of Yunza is throwing flour (as in white cooking flour) at people.

The most interesting part was watching as they try to get the tree set up after it had been cut down and adorned with balloons and small gifts. Let´s just say that Peruvians aren´t the best at organization and working in teams so it took them hours to get the tree up.

It was a beautiful cultural experience. After almost two years in Peru I am still amazed at all the native cultural beauty and traditions that we tend to lack in the US. I love living in the Andes mountains where not only the views are beautiful but so are the traditions :)

The kids were ready and excited to participate too :)

Little Carol with her flour ready to throw at people 

Trying to get the tree back up. 

Right after someone threw flour in her face

Stiiiiiill trying to get the tree up...this part took several hours. 

The little boys watched they adults trying to get the tree up and then they started playing with a branch and acting like they were going to put a tree up. It was too cute!  

Peruvian beauties. 

The tree is fiinally up! Just in time for it to start pouring down rain. 

Let the dancing around the tree begin. 

Rainy season is finally starting to end and we have been getting some sunny days. I have some crazy photos to share from rainy season that I will try to put up soon!

My parents will be arriving to Peru in about 24 hours and I am SO excited! We will be heading to the Amazon Rainforest. Photos and updates to come soon!!