Carnivals in Cusco and Peru

Location: Cusco
Date: February and/or March

The Carnavales in the Peruvian highlands are joyful and cheerful and take place during the month of February. A typical ritual is that of yunza, (umisha in the jungle, and cortamonte in the coast). A big, enormous tree is planted somewhere, full of presents and gifts. All the people are dancing around the yunza. The idea is, to cut the tree so that it falls down. The couple that gives the final cut before the tree falls down, is in charge of the organization of the yunza next year.

In the whole of the Peruvian country, you will see people throwing water to each other, not only on the main day of Carnavales but during the whole month of February.