Strange Easter festival in Peru: 13-03-2008
Peru is a destination full of mysterious places and festivals, and Easter is a particularly good time to experience some of the country's culture.
The Taitacha Temblores, the Black Lord of Earthquakes, takes place on Easter Monday in Cuzco and remembers a huge earthquake that shook the city centuries ago. Legend states that the earthquake was held at bay by an oil painting of Jesus on the cross, and since then Jesus has been regarded as a natural protector of the land.
Locals blended Jesus with a pre-Christian god of earthquakes and came up with a dark-sooted figure called Taitacha Temblores.
During the festival there is a procession of the Black Jesus through the streets of the city accompanied by followers and believers, as well as revellers enjoying the party atmosphere. A crown of red flowers is placed on the head of the figure and religious figures then sprinkle flowers on the body.