Peru is a rich country - not in the economical sense, because even if it is today “one of the best performing economies in Latin America“ (World Bank, 2012), Peru still suffers from poverty, hunger, and ethnic conflicts as many countries in Latin America do. The focus lies here more on the country‘s richness based on history, nature, climate and cultural life.
Peru is a country in western South America and borders on Ecuador and Columbia in the north, Brazil in the east, Bolivia in the southeast and Chile in the south. The world‘s driest desert, the Atacama desert, is located in the south of Peru to the boarders of Chile. What distinguished Peru from other countries in South America is the division of the country into three different biomes: The Costa (coastline) in the west of the country bordering the South Pacific Ocean; the Sierra, with the high and rough Andes in the centre; and the Selva, the eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin. The capital of Peru is Lima and lies in the Costa region.
With its coastline which is approximately 2,000 kilometres long (longest in the world) and innumerable beaches, unique flora and fauna, climate from tropical to dry desert, historical pre-Hispanic places like the Inca site Machu Picchu, and the multicultural capital, Peru is a very diverse country. Not only geographically, but also when it comes to its population and cultural life. Peru is an indigenous country, which means that the majority of the population consist of so called amerindios or indios, and define the pre-Hispanic citizens of Latin America. 37 percent are mestizos, which describes the mixture of white, black and asiatic people with the amerindios due to colonization and immigration.
What stands out is the white minority which makes today only 15 percent of the Peruvian population. Three percent are, because of large immigration during the 1970s and 1980s, Japanese or Chinese Peruvians. Undoubtedly, the mixture of different ethnic groups defines what is today the Peruvian culture and national identity. However, there are still problems among Peruvians which can be noticed in terms of the acceptance of the own identity.
Table of Contents
1. Lack of Acceptance
2. When the Spanish came
3. How the Past still lives on
4. When Words fail, Music speaks
Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this work is to explore the complexities of Peruvian national identity, specifically examining how historical colonial legacy and ethnic diversity contribute to current social tensions and discrimination, while analyzing the unifying role of music within the culture.
- The historical impact of the Spanish conquest on modern Peruvian societal structures.
- Ethnic tensions and the discrimination faced by the indigenous population.
- The influence of religion and traditional beliefs on Peruvian family life and social norms.
- The dual nature of Peruvian identity: a divided society versus a shared national pride.
- The role of music as a common cultural language that bridges ethnic divides.
Excerpt from the Book
How the Past still lives on
Since the early years of colonization Peru is a Catholic country. The majority of the population (87,3 percent) is Catholic, while 10 percent belongs to Protestant faiths, the most important being Evangelists, Adventists, and Mormons. The Catholic Church had therefore influenced almost every aspect of the Peruvian life.
The indigenous population, on the other hand, has been able to preserve some of the pre-Hispanic traditions, attitudes and beliefs. This can be explain with the following situation: For the people who live high above in the Andes it is almost impossible to find a doctor or a hospital whenever they need it. The conditions they have to live with, in almost 4,000 meters altitude, do not provide the access to medical healthcare like in the cities or larger villages. That is the reason why people have no other choice than to believe in the healing power of shamans, sorcerers or voodoo magic. If you want to be cured you go to a curandero (healer) and to make your wishes come true a brujo (sorcerer) might help. Ancient rituals do still exist in Peru. Even if Peruvians are sometimes afraid of them, they show a lot of respect because this people have the power, so it is said, to talk to ghosts and release you from every sickness and pain.
Summary of Chapters
Lack of Acceptance: This chapter introduces the geographical and ethnic diversity of Peru, highlighting the internal struggle with national identity and the prevalence of social discrimination.
When the Spanish came: This section provides a historical overview of the arrival of Francisco Pizarro and the subsequent collapse of the Inca Empire under Spanish colonization.
How the Past still lives on: This chapter discusses the syncretism of Catholic faith with indigenous traditions, focusing on the endurance of spiritual beliefs and rigid social/family structures.
When Words fail, Music speaks: The final chapter analyzes how various musical traditions serve as a unifying force, bridging the gap between different ethnic groups despite persistent social divisions.
Keywords
Peru, Peruvian identity, Intercultural communication, Indigenismo, Mestizo, Colonialism, Social discrimination, Catholicism, Andean culture, Shamanism, Machismo, National pride, Peruvian music, Ethnic conflict, Cultural diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
The work examines the multifaceted nature of Peruvian identity, analyzing how historical, social, and ethnic factors contribute to a complex, often divided national character.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The central themes include the historical impact of the Spanish conquest, the persistence of indigenous traditions, the influence of the Catholic Church, and the role of music in national unity.
What is the primary research question?
The central question is why Peruvians struggle with their identity and acceptance of their own ethnic roots, despite a strong, shared sense of patriotism.
Which scientific method is applied?
The work follows an observant and analytical approach, combining historical context with personal observation and qualitative analysis of cultural practices.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the demographic composition of Peru, the influence of colonial history, the intersection of religion and superstition, social and family norms, and the cultural significance of music.
Which keywords characterize this publication?
The paper is characterized by terms such as Peruvian identity, intercultural communication, social discrimination, ethnic diversity, and cultural syncretism.
How does the author describe the influence of the Spanish conquest?
The author highlights the imposition of new political, economic, and religious norms, which created a distinct split between the urban, mestizo-influenced coastal culture and the traditional Andean region.
What is the significance of the "evil eye" (Mal del ojo) in the text?
The concept of the "evil eye" is used as a case study to illustrate the strong, ongoing influence of superstition and the need for traditional healing practices in everyday Peruvian life.
Why does the author consider music as a bridge?
Music is seen as a bridge because it integrates various influences—Andean, Afro-Peruvian, and Spanish—and provides a space where different ethnic groups can connect without the prejudices present in other social domains.
- Citation du texte
- Mayra Condemarin (Auteur), 2013, The Diversity of Peru and Its Problem With Identity, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/300130
