Peru “Transculturation is a complicated term with a rich history” (“The Art of Illumination” 1) “It is a concept that embraces time, space, place, culture, nation, and globalization”(“The Art of Illumination” 2), where “new enigmas and heterogeneities arise” (“The Art of Illumination” 2). As defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary, “transculturation is a process of cultural transformation marked by the influx of new culture elements and the loss or alteration of existing ones”. The concept of transculturation is fundamental in the history and current state of most Latin America Countries.
During the Colonial Period, transculturation used transformative influence and the interaction of various cultures on each other to create hegemony, that is, the idea of oneness. Each country in Latin America contains their own specific transculturation identity; Peru is without exception. Peru, a cultural epicenter with healthy government control, is the country it is today because of the historical movements and transculturation experienced dated back to before Peru became a country.
Peru is recognized as the heart of the Incan Empire; however, it is also home to many other diverse indigenous tribes before the Incans became a presence. Up until 2500 B. C. , there was no evidence of organized life. The first people groups known to have a presence in Peru are the Chavin and Sechins who were known for their military hegemony and hunter-gatherer lifestyle. After the decline of the Chavin and Sechins, various indigenous groups came to rise and fall with the movement of time. Often these indigenous groups participated in artistic and technological advances such as kiln fired ceramics and efficient eaving techniques (“Peru – History & Culture”). In the 15th century the Incans gave rise. They conquered subject peoples, and built a very powerful city called Machu Pichu, which is one of the best-preserved cities in all of Latin America. Their Empire stretched 1500 miles, form northern Ecuador to Argentina. Conquered by Francisco Pizzaro and 600 men, the Incan Empire declined. The Spanish looked to the land the Incan’s lived in for silver and Gold, and even Qbola, the city of Gold. The Spanish controlled the land of Peru for many centuries.
Up rises and attempts of the indigenous cultures to gain independence often occurred, however, the Spanish remained a concrete power. Tupac Amaru Il led an unsuccessful uprising in 1780 against the Spanish in Peru, but became a mythical figure in the Peruvian struggle for independence. The Peruvian War of Independence initiated a ten year long journey of conflicts, starting in 1811. Independence was finally gained on July 28, 1821 by Jose de San Martin and Simon Bolivar. After independence the country fell into political instability.
Peru experienced many regime changes, rewritten constitutions, and economic decline. 1840 brought about a change in economic and political change. Political stability ensued and economic expansion through exports quickly increased. Peru found economic and political stability only briefly. Continuing on into and post World War 2, Peru experienced more swings in political regimes, social movements, and economic strategies. This heavily affected the inefficient use of Peru’s rich inventories of natural resources. Social movements encompassed Peru in the direction it headed.
These movements encompass a broad array of classes, political orientations, ideologies, occupations, and civil and human rights organizations; the reaffirm the centrality of class politics and class struggle” (The Art of Illumination, 158). These movements dominated every aspect of Peruvian society and “defined the relationship between state and society”, a concept that perpetuated future democratization. The Military of Peru stopped many of the movements towards democratization for quite sometime, however, in the late 20th century, democracy became a reality with a change in leadership through elections.
Currently, Ollanta Humala Tasso is the President of Peru. The country of Peru, thanks to democracy and years of pro-growth macro-economic policy, Peru has experienced exceptional economic growth, development, and globalization. Inflation rates are low, poverty rates continue to decline, and the debt incurred by previous military regimes has decreased. It is imperative to understand the historical content of Peru because the current atmosphere, economic environment, and government currently exist the way they do because of its historical journey.
The current country of Peru is located on the west side of South America. Countries that border Peru are Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia, with the Pacific Ocean as a border on the West side. It is the third largest country in South America and geographically diverse. It has 11 ecological regions and 84 of the 103 types ecosystems present. Much of the landscape within Peru consists of coast, jungle, and mountains. A benefit to being geographically diverse and many ecological zones is the plethora of natural resources.
Copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron, ore, coal, phosphate, potash, natural gas, and hydro-power are resources heavily relied on in Peru. The industry in Peru stems directly from their natural resources. Fishing, mining and refining of minerals, food processing, petroleum extraction and refining natural gas, metal fabrication and fishing and fish processing are all important industries their economy relies and thrives on. Furthermore, much of their exports are directly related to their immense amount of natural resources.
Their major partners in trade are China, Canada, the United States, Japan, Chile, and Spain. The dynamic, high in resource and entrepreneurship environment that Peru finds itself in is very important to the health and development of their economy and government. “Reforms, openness to international trade, and growing tourism and mining industries have facilitated rapid growth in the past” (“Economy: Population, GDP, Inflation, Business, Trade”). Furthermore, many free trade agreements have created a foundation for domestic reforms and the building of institutions.
Even with a democracy in place, corruption within government still continues to be an issue. Another issue that is at large in Peru is the drug trade. Peru is the largest producer of cocaine in the world thanks to massive ungoverned areas used to grow coca, which make cocaine. 30 million people inhabit Peru. They are divided equally between the highlands and coast; however, those that live in the highlands are often afflicted with heavy poverty. Half of the population is Indian, or indigenous and most of them live in the highlands of Peru.
The remaining part of the population are mestizo or of European decent. Spanish is the main language, however, indigenous languages are used often, especially in the highlands. The current culture of Peru brings back the overarching theme previously mentioned: transculturation. The combination and bringing together of various indigenous cultures, values, morals, and beliefs combine to create one evident and colorful culture present in Peru today. Peru practices freedom of religion but the main religion practiced is Catholicism, which stems from the European influence earlier in Peru’s history.
Although Spanish is the main language there are 43 other languages used. With so many influences in Peru various indigenous people groups and cultures, there are nearly 3,000 annual popular festivals that occur. Many of the festivals express a large belief in God, nature, and respect towards freedom. Although Catholicism is a main religion, it is often combined with certain indigenous beliefs that in which incorporate giving back nature, thanking Pachamama, Mother Earth that is, and other such mystical celebrations.
Interesting how Catholicism in Peru can work in harmony with other various creeds from other religious beliefs. Much like their religion, their food, dances, and rituals are combinations of various indigenous cultures. There are so many layers of civilizations and cultures that make Peru such an intriguing country; the ruins of Machu Pichu, old worn cobblestone paths, the vast Andes Mountains and highlands that contain indigenous tribes that still maintain the traditional way of life, and the Incan Capital of Cusco where the market teems with trade between farmers and craftsman.
The concept of transculturation is evident in Peru, which makes Peru a very marketable country in the global market and economy. Many challenges remain. About one quarter of the population continues to be affected by poverty and Peru struggles to combat the trafficking of cocaine. Although Peru faces many challenges, the economy and government have potential to make Peru more of a presence in the global marketplace. Through the historical storyline, the recent government and economic success experienced, Peru continues to be deeply rooted in the diversity yet also oneness through the inherent concept of transculturation.
