See also our post What to bring home from Peru
Peru has a huge variety of souvenir articles you can bring home for your family, friends or for yourself. These articles are crafted by local artisans; they come from different parts of the country and are inspired in traditions, animals, colonial art, typical textiles, etc.
Peru has a huge variety of souvenir articles you can bring home for your family, friends or for yourself. These articles are crafted by local artisans; they come from different parts of the country and are inspired in traditions, animals, colonial art, typical textiles, etc.
Toritos de Pucara or Pucara Bulls are souvenir
examples that represent part of our cultural heritage. You can find these nice bulls in different sizes and
prices in the markets and handicraft
shops during your trip to Peru.
As it´s known, they are still made using the
original manufacturing techniques,
original colors and molded in the traditional clay ovens, although
you may find Pucara bulls painted in brighter
colors with typically Andean
designs.
 |
| Toritos de Pucara or Pucara Bulls |
But what are these bulls? What do they
represent?
While you travel in Peru, especially in the
countryside of Cusco and Puno, it´s very common to see in the roof of almost
all houses two small bulls made of clay placed side by side accompanied by a
ladder and a cross.
They are
the Puccara Bulls, pottery bulls with brown, green and ochre decorations.
These
bulls were originally made as a ritual element and appeared in the early years
of the Spanish colony. The bull figure was also a jar and was used to hold a
beverage made of fermented corn (chicha) which was mixed with the blood of
cattle and drunk by the high priest conducting the cattle-branding ceremony
with the purpose of protect their cattle.
Nowadays,
the bulls are still used but with a different purpose. It’s believed by the
locals that they keep the house safe with a blessing to the “Apus” (the Inca
mountain gods) and ensure health, wealth, and unity for the occupants of the
house.
The bulls
are combined with a ladder and a cross to allow easy passage to heaven when the
final call comes.
They can be an excellent souvenir to take home
from Peru!
Marita
Nuñez
PERU TRIP ADVISORS
E-mail: Marita@peru-tripadvisors.com
Website: www.peru-tripadvisors.com
Address: La Paz Av. 676 Office 4, Miraflores, Lima – PERU
Phone number: 51-1 241-7429
PERU TRIP ADVISORS
E-mail: Marita@peru-tripadvisors.com
Website: www.peru-tripadvisors.com
Address: La Paz Av. 676 Office 4, Miraflores, Lima – PERU
Phone number: 51-1 241-7429
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Great post! very useful info.
ReplyDeleteGot one as a gift from Peru and found your discription very helpful.
ReplyDelete