The objective of this program is to give students the opportunity to know Peru and its great culture, through the music of their regions and customs of its people and musicians. Students will visit important Peruvian celebrations in three different geographical areas: in the area of the coast, we will see the creole tradition and migrant party in the populous city of Lima. In the Andes, we accompany different traditional dances offered by the fiesta of Virgin Carmen in Pisac, an ancient Inca village in Cusco. And in the Amazon, we meet the Ashaninka, native with an ancestral tradition of song and narrative about the Amazon jungle of Junín. The student will have the opportunity to develop ethnographic research selected by him or suggested by teachers. While in Cusco and Junin, students will integrate themselves into the host community and local customs; in Lima, they will have the opportunity to be in contact with the Creole tradition and new musical trends, such as Peruvian “cumbia”. Between trips, students also spend time at the Institute of Ethnomusicology (IDE) in Lima, systematizing and developing the information recorded their field reports.
Manuel Ráez Retamozo did his undergraduate and graduate studies in anthropology at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, where he is currently professor at the Department of Social Sciences. He is also a researcher, member of the Institute of Ethnomusicology for over 25 years. He is author of the books “En los dominios del Cóndor: fiestas y música tradicional en el valle del Colca”, “Melodías de los valles Sagrados: fiestas y danzas tradicionales” y “Dioses de la Quebradas: fiestas y rituales en la sierra alta de Lima”. He is author as well, of several articles in books and academic journals about ethnomusicology and andean heritage of Peru and Ecuador, so that; he has a remarkable audiovisual collection.
Lima, Huancayo, Satipo and Cusco
Credits Number: 6
Manuel Ráez Retamozo
Overall, I found the Ethnomusicology program to be an enriching experience both academically and personally. I really enjoyed the hands on learning experience and getting to interact with other students who shared my interest in Anthropology. SUNY New Paltz
I really enjoyed the Field School Program. I particularly enjoyed the small class size because I was able to get to know my peers very well and get more one-on-one attention from the professors. I also feel that I learned a lot through experience not only about the fiestas but also about fieldwork in general, and it has given me a better sense of where I’d like to go with anthropology in the future.
Renato was very patient and knowledgeable. He answered all of our questions and was genuinely interested in our success.
I had a great time and would recommend the program to anyone who is interested. The field work was great practice and I will be able to apply it in my Anthropological career. I think the ability to interact with other American students is key. It helped me to quickly overcome culture shock and gave me confidence. I also enjoyed the classes I took at PCUP. It was excellent to be able to get background information before we did the field work.
