Day 1: Top Ten Photos
The 2015 Smithsonian Folklife Festival opened today with the flare of woolen skirts and the roar of a hundred hand drums. Our Opening Ceremony for the Perú: Pachamama program took place in the National Museum of the American Indian’s Rasmuson Theater, featuring many of the visiting performance groups from Peru, who then processed outdoors to the Festival grounds on the National Mall.
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During the Opening Ceremony, Tradiciones Carumeñas performed the Sarawja dance. Photo by Francisco Guerra, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
After the presentation in the theater, the Contradanza troupe from Paucartambo processed to the museum’s Welcome Plaza, joined by Minister Blanca Magali Silva Velarde-Álvarez and Ambassador Luis Miguel Castilla. Photo by Brian Barger, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
The 100 Cajoneros group took over the Welcome Plaza as a thunderous close to the Opening Ceremony. Photo by Brian Barger, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
In one of the first events of the day, bridge builders from the Cusco region performed a ritual offering to Apu Q’eswachaka (a mountain spirit), asking permission and blessings in building the Q’eswachaka Bridge over the next two weeks. Photo by Joe Furgal, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Visitors can leave their mark on the Festival near the Urban Art and Music tent, on a free-for-all mural wall. Paints are provided! Photo by Josh Weilepp, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Marinera Viva!!! took over La Plaza in a show of flirtatious dance. Photo by Sarah Bluestein, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
The Wachiperi people of the Peruvian Amazon retain many traditional ways of life, such as wearing clothing made of tree bark and using bows and arrows to hunt. On the Mall, they are demonstrating their archery skills. Photo by Ronald Villasante, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Want to try playing a cajón? Visit the Afro-Peruvian Music and Dance tent, and you are sure to get a lesson! Photo by Sarah Bluestein, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
Time for a break? Take a seat in a totora reed raft, used for fishing and surfing off the coast of Huanchaco. Photo by Josh Weilepp, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
La Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen from Paucartambo comes to life on the National Mall, as the Contradanza troupe invites visitors to join their parade through the trees. Photo by Sarah Bluestein, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives
The Festival continues through Sunday, and then July 1 to 5. Come see Perú: Pachamama for yourself!
Elisa Hough is the editor for the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
