The Ministry of Culture declared the Festivity of the Sweet Name of Jesus or Lord of Pampacucho and the Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Lord of Pampacucho, located in the peasant community of Pampacucho, district of Colcha, province of Paruro, department of Cusco, as Cultural Heritage of the Nation.
This distinction, granted by Vice-Ministerial Resolution No. 000252-2024-VMPCIC/MC, recognizes the relevance of this Andean religious festival. The festival brings together traditions from diverse origins, thus contributing to the creation of a valuable cultural corpus in the region.
The Sanctuary of the Lord of Pampacucho houses a miraculous image of Christ, carrying a heavy cross on his way to Calvary, venerated by the faithful of the region. This sanctuary becomes the epicenter of a series of religious festivities which have a large number of devotees.
The Feast of the Sweet Name of Jesus or Lord of Pampacucho is celebrated from January 1 to 3, and brings together devotees from various rural communities in the Colcha district. The Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Lord of Pampacucho takes place between August 15 and 17, and brings together faithful from all over the Paruro area and other nearby provinces, who pay homage to the Lord of Pampacucho.
The history of the Lord of Pampacucho dates back to oral stories that narrate the miraculous appearance of a group of images of Christ somewhere in the highlands, and that, after a journey to Cusco, they dispersed throughout various regions. The others would be the images of the Lord of Huanca, the Lord of Qoyllurrit’i, and, if there are five brothers, the Lord of Tungasuca and the Lord of Exaltation would be included.
Among the most notable groups is that of the Alzados, who act as guardians of the image throughout the celebration. Other groups are those of the Kuka Saru Chukchu from Echarate, the Chilean Auqa from Yanamachi, and the Panaderitas, Mestiza Qoyacha and Llameritas dancesrun by private groups of devotees.
The Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Lord of Pampacucho takes place from August 15 to 17 and brings together devotees from the entire Paruro region, as well as from other areas such as Andahuaylillas, Rondocan, Papres, Colcha, Paruro, Acos, Pillpinto, Sullumayo (Huaro), Lucre, YanamanchiAcopia, Acomayo and the neighbouring province of Chumbivilcas. It also attracts residents from urban centres such as Cusco, Lima and Puerto Maldonado.
FACT:
– The Resolution also tasks the Directorate of Intangible Heritage, in coordination with the Decentralized Directorate of Culture of Cusco and the community of bearers, with preparing a five-year report on the status of this cultural expression. This report will allow you to update the institutional record and track changes.risks and other aspects relevant to their protection.
