Five years. five years and I have yet to discover the meaning behind "pan de guagua"  - the infamous baby bread. This time of year I take advantage to ask as many Cusqueñans as possible, what's with the baby bread? The most common response is that it's tradition. yah, and? What's with the baptism... what's with the Catholic priest proceeding the ceremonies?... what's with the horse and rider, where did this origin? 


the simple answer> no one knows.


I don't think they care either, because they dismiss my question rather quickly with "tradition". And then go on to explain other celebrations this time of year, like the day of the dead (Oct 31st), el Dia de los Santos (Nov 1st), Cristo de los milagros, Cristo de los temblores, Cristo Morado...


There are other "traditions" that I do understand, like wearing purple all month. Which is a way of identifying with Cristo Morado (Black/Purple Christ, better translated, Bruised Christ). Years ago, there was a strong earthquake that caused devastation in the city of Cusco. And since the earthquake just happened to stop right as a priest brought out the enormous image of the Black Christ onto the street, the entire city celebrates this Cristo Morado during the month of October. 


Another tradition is hanging long pieces of purple fabric (which over the years has converted into fabric and balloons) from the doorway of your house or business. During the month, each of the 13 Cathedrals in the city will have various processions with their image of Cristo Morado, el Señor de los Temblores (Lord of the Earthquakes). They will pass by and stop (how exciting) in front of YOUR business if you have the fabric hanging. It is considered a special blessing over your business. They also block off the street, while they paint enormous designs on the street using natural dyes make from flowers and minerals. The artwork is quite lovely especially since they spend hours upon hours to complete their work, but a little sad that it gets totally trampled as the procession passes by. Their hope in earthly things is impressionable. 


The Day of the Dead, also known as Halloween, is an interesting day/night. It saddens me what the Christian church does to promote this pagan holiday. And how the enemy uses commercialism to blind otherwise Godly eyes about the truth of this day. I feel like my eyes have been opened... the scales have fallen... and now I see what really happens on this day. I used to be in the camp of "oh it's a harmless day for kids to get dressed up and eat candy". I'm no longer in that camp. I think if I lived in a place like the US, where the "real meaning" of the holiday has been all but forgotten (except for a specific group of very anti-godly people) maybe I would let my kids dress up and go to the church functions. Do I think I was damaged by going door to door trick-or-treating? No. But then again, I wasn't living in a place like Cusco. 


Next Sunday night, October 31st, the cementaries will be a place for conjuring spirits of dead loved ones, of speaking through mediums and performing rituals... much done in ignorance while others, will be doing much darker things with full knowledge. Scorcery, witchcraft, magic, anti-God, anti-marriage, anti-anything-good will be at its full force that night. 


On October 31st, we will be celebrating LIFE.  A new life in Christ, Norma, is preparing for the birth of her first son. We will be having a baby shower! 


On the Day of the Dead, instead of celebrating the dead we will celebrate the living.