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Cajamarca Festivities Calendar
FEBRUARY IN CAJAMARCA Cajamarca Carnival
This feast precedes Easter. It lasts approximately one month, although it only has eight main days. It is mainly held in the City of Cajamarca, but nearby towns hold simultaneous celebrations. With many colorful dresses, masks ridiculing the authorities of Andean villages, and the folkloric dances, the Carnival is also comprised of pageants and lively marches. An exceptional sample of the local folklore, the Carnival is presided over by a queen and by Ño Carnavalón, chosen each year by the local residents. It ends with a tree cutting ritual or yunza, which is a dance around a tree decorated with fruits and presents, while attempts are made to bring it down with an axe. MARCH - APRIL IN CAJAMARCA Crosses of Lower Porcón Feast
On the eve of Palm Sunday, the crosses prepared and decorated for the occasion by the peasants of Cajamarca, are taken throughout the ravine to converge at the home of the Mayordomo of the feast (the person in charge of its organization). On Palm Sunday, the crosses are taken out in procession once again, together with Our Lord of the Palm, who travels on a white mule all the way to the chapel in the community of Porcón. Throughout the march, the residents sing in Quechua, Latin and Spanish. JUNE IN CAJAMARCA Corpus Christi
This is the most important religious feast in the City of Cajamarca. Following a solemn mass, the Cathedral's shrine known as La Preciosa is taken on a procession, once a year. In addition to the religious celebration, there are bullfights, fairs and several contests.
24th Saint John the Baptist Chota honors its Patron Saint since June 14, with processions and masses celebrated in the Cathedral, as well as to the very popular bullfight. Noticeable too is the presence of horse riders who take advantage of the occasion to show their skills. JULY IN CAJAMARCA 15 and 16, Main Days of Our Lady of Carmen's Festivities The Province of Celendín shows its devotion to Our Lady of Carmen with masses and processions, but also through pagan activities such as bullfights and trade fairs. OCTOBER IN CAJAMARCA 7 to 12 Tourism Week in Cajamarca Social and cultural activities, such as paintings and photographic exhibits, as well as folkdances are held at this time. There are also a variety of contests, cock fights and sporting competitions.
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