El Carmen: Plaza and Christmas Traditions

El Carmen in Chincha combines a distinctive town center with traditions that are especially prominent during the Christmas season. If you take cultural attractions into account when choosing your destination, the Plaza de Armas, the church, and the dances offer a concrete glimpse of the town. The dates around Christmas and Three Kings’ Day are also a helpful reference point for planning your trip.

The Plaza and the Town’s Founding

The Plaza de Armas has a colonial character and is known for its imposing palm trees. The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, which dates back to 1761, is located beside it. The town of El Carmen was also founded in 1761, along with its church and devotion to the Virgin who gave it its name. The church, plaza, and history of the town are therefore closely connected.

Hatajo, Pallitas, and Christmas Altars

According to oral tradition, Hatajo de Negritos and Las Pallitas have honored the Virgin since the town’s earliest days. Christmas altars are at the heart of the rituals associated with the groups. During the Christmas season, both groups dance in front of altars and nativity scenes during visits to various homes. The tradition of a Hatajo in El Carmen dates back at least to 1890.

Hatajo de Negritos is performed mainly by children and young people, who perform zapateo dances. They wear specially made, colorful costumes and dance to violin accompaniment and the sound of bells. The combination of dance, costume, and music gives Hatajo its own distinctive character during the festivities.

Dates Between Christmas Eve and January 6

On December 24, Hatajo de Negritos and Las Pallitas accompany the Virgin in a dance from the town entrance to El Carmen’s central plaza. From December 25 through 28, and again on January 6, Hatajo is performed in churches, plazas, and homes to which the groups are invited. The procession together on Christmas Eve is therefore distinct from the later performances at different locations.

At the end of January 6, the Hatajos carry their altars through the streets to a fire outside the town. The altars are burned there. The ritual marks the end of the religious festivities and symbolizes the renewal of the coming year. If you would like to take the traditions into account when planning your trip, check the exact event dates in advance.

Las Pallitas and the Bajada de Reyes

Las Pallitas of El Carmen consist of around twenty girls and young people. They dance in two rows under the leadership of a guide; in El Carmen, a guitarist accompanies them. Their clothing is also tied to the festivities: the Pallitas wear white dresses, which are changed for pink dresses for the Bajada de Reyes celebrations on January 6. The date thus links the group’s dance with a visible change of costume.

Dishes from the District of El Carmen

The cuisine also offers a point of reference for planning your trip. Visitors to the district of El Carmen are encouraged to try Carapulcra with Chincha-Sopa Seca. Manchapecho chinchano is also one of the district’s typical dishes. Both recommendations refer to the district of El Carmen and complement the cultural perspective on the town with a culinary one.

Discover more destinations: Cerro Prieto, Pueblo Nuevo, Chincha Alta, Puerto Caballas, Palpa.

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