• Gift Catalog
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
Call Us: 800-487-1074
Global Volunteers
  • Countries
    • International Partnerships:
      • China
      • Cook Islands
      • Cuba
      • Ecuador
      • Greece
      • Italy
      • Nepal
      • Peru
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • St Lucia
      • Tanzania
      • Vietnam
    • USA Programs:
      • Appalachia – West Virginia
      • Blackfeet Reservation – Montana
      • Rosebud Reservation – South Dakota
      • Española – New Mexico
  • Projects
  • Give
    • Giving Options:
      • Donate Now
      • Gift Catalog
      • Ways to Give
      • Philanthropy
  • Impact
  • Blog
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Culture and Traditions Worldwide, Free Time Options Peru

It’s Not Halloween in Peru, but Peruvians Still Party

criolla music

Actually, Peruvians do celebrate Halloween. But Peruvians also celebrate something else on October 31st: “El día de la canción criolla” (Criolla music day). Día de la canción criolla is a celebration of Peruvian music that makes us Peruvians really proud and ready to party. But party in a way that’s different from what you may think. What is criolla music anyway, and why do Peruvians always struggle about which holiday to celebrate?

Criolla music

Criolla comes from the word “criollo, ” which refers to the mixture of Peruvian indigenous and European. So criolla music is a kind of Peruvian music that was developed in the coast of Peru by the criollos, mixing Peruvian, European, and African instruments and tunes.

Criolla music is usually played by two basic instruments, acoustic guitar and cajón (a box-shaped percussion instrument developed in Peru). The songs are usually about romance or Peru. This is what makes criolla music so dear to Peruvians, not only its Peruvian origin, but also the passion with which the songs convey the wonders of Peru and love for the country. (See for instance this criolla music presentation at the Organization of American States)

criolla music

Peruvian children playing the cajon.

Party the Peruvian Way

A typical celebration of día de la canción criolla is called “jarana” in Spanish, different from the word “fiesta” or “tono” for Halloween or other kinds of parties. Jarana includes live criolla music, beer, and dancing. But, unlike other parties, this one focuses mostly on enjoying the music and singing along, not on partying for the sake of partying or for the alcohol. That is why many times jaranas can be enjoyed by the whole family, can take place during the day, and are accompanied by criolla food (that is, Peruvian food from the coast).

The Facts

Día de la Canción Criolla was originally established as a Peruvian festivity in 1944 by President Manuel Prado as a move to promote criolla music among other Peruvian music. In a broader context, in the midst of nationalist and communist voices that sought to reject anything foreign in Peru, the authorities started promoting local heritage to replace foreign cultural influences.

You are missing out

Of course you will not have a chance to experience a jarana or live criolla music unless you are in Peru. It would be just sad for you if you never try it out. Peruvians are increasingly leaving their costumes behind and having a blast at jaranas. We encourage you to join. Celebrate your next Halloween the Peruvian way with Global Volunteers!

criolla music

Peruvians dancing at a “Día de la canción criolla” jarana.

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
October 31, 2016/0 Comments/by Daniel Salazar
Tags: volunteer benefits
https://205eev2oa0jm1t4yb914s1nw-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Peruvians-playing-criolla-music-with-guitar-and-cajon-e1477675092661.jpg 948 843 Daniel Salazar https://205eev2oa0jm1t4yb914s1nw-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Daniel Salazar2016-10-31 13:44:032016-10-31 16:27:12It’s Not Halloween in Peru, but Peruvians Still Party
You might also like
Global Volunteers' Alumni Program Reasons to Join Global Volunteers’ Alumni Program
How to Volunteer Abroad as a Couple How to Volunteer Abroad as a Couple
costa rica service learning Farewell to Costa Rica’s Flora, Fauna, Food and Fun at Colegio
Students Volunteer with Children in Ecuador
teaching English in China through dance Teaching in China: Slow Down! Speak Slowly! Keep Trying!
volunteer in Chennai, India Joy as a Volunteer in India
Volunteering in Crete Summing up Why I’m Volunteering in Crete Again
Indian culture Immersion in Indian Culture – Sights, Smells and Spirit
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

You must log in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Partner Communities

  • China 66
  • Cook Islands 44
  • Cuba 117
  • Ecuador 88
  • Greece 68
  • Italy 54
  • Montana 42
  • Nepal 16
  • Peru 98
  • Poland 77
  • Portugal 42
  • South Dakota 8
  • St Lucia 57
  • Tanzania 143
  • Vietnam 43
  • West Virginia 24

Categories

  • Boomer Volunteers
  • Conversational English
  • Couples Volunteering
  • Culture and Traditions Worldwide
  • Development Impact
  • Family Volunteers
  • Free Time Options
  • Global Volunteers
  • Group Volunteering
  • Impact Stories
  • Individuals on Teams
  • Projects for Professionals
  • Reaching Children's Potential
  • Repeat Volunteers
  • Retiree Volunteers
  • Staff Worldwide
  • Student Volunteers
  • Uncategorized
  • Volunteer Voices
  • Women volunteers

Tags

alumni volunteers American Indian culture Appalachian culture best destination peru Care for children Caribbean island College groups Conversational English cook islands economy covid-19 covid-19 consequences Cuba people-to-people donate for children Earthbox gardens economic support Essential Services food insecurity Funding your fee Health and nutrition High school groups Labor projects lgbt program peru resume resume high shcool retiree service-learning share food Spring break summer volunteer program support children Support women teaching children teaching english team leader things to do peru top places to visit peru tourism cook islands tours peru travel peru volunteer benefits Volunteer impact work on reservations Work with youth youth volunteering
  • About Us
  • Boards of Directors and Advisors
  • US and International Staff
  • Our Beginnings
  • Our Vision
  • Community Partners
  • Collaborators
  • Compare Us
  • Volunteer Vacations FAQs
  • Accountability and Agreements
  • Travel Risks
  • Impact and Outcomes of Service
  • Donate to Global Volunteers
  • Donate to a Volunteer
  • Money Matters – Explaining Your Service Program Contribution
  • Discounts & Fundraising
  • Alumni Center
  • News/Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Agreements
  • Site Map
  • Contact
  • Podcast
  • Volunteer Portal
  • Employment
Global Volunteers
375 East Little Canada Road
St. Paul, MN 55117-1628 USA
(800) 487-1074 | toll-free
(651) 482-0915 | fax
globalvolunteers.org
email@globalvolunteers.org

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Subscribe receive notifications of new posts and updates by email.

Global Volunteers - Partners in Development ® | © Copyright 2002 - Present Global Volunteers
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Global Volunteers is an apolitical, non-sectarian, non-profit (501C-3) tax-exempt organization.
  • Send feedback about this web site and its administration.
Obama to visit Lima, Peru on Last International Trip as President APEC Peru Summit Student Volunteer Abroad Reviews Student Volunteer Abroad Reviews
Scroll to top
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.