About Peru
Peru is the third largest country in South-America, after Brazil and Argentina. The capital of Peru is Lima. The official languages are Spanish, Quechua and Aymara. Quechua is the ancient Inca language which is still spoken throughout Peru.
Many Quechuas are being discriminated against, which causes more kids to loose their traditions or are ashamed of it. They often do not dare to speak the language of their ancestors and forget the legends that have been passed from 
generation to generation.
Traditions
In Peru, old traditions remain very important. The calendar is full of various religious feasts, each with their own traditional food, colors, dances and saints. Almost 90% of all Peruvians is catholic and celebrates its saints; each neighborhood, village and district has its own saint.
However, many of the traditions originate from the old Inca culture. When the Spanish conquered and colonized Peru, they wanted to eradicate the Inca faith. They destroyed Inca-temples and build Catholic churches instead. Also, the feasts for the Inca-gods were replaced wit
h catholic feasts. Even though the Spanish made great attempts to destroy every part of the Inca-culture, the Inca faith and traditions have never left the people; in fact many Peruvians still live according to the Inca traditions. Important features of the Inca-culture are its own language (Quechua), worshipping Mother Earth (´Pachamama´ in Quechua) and other nature-gods, such as the mountains, rivers and the sun, moon and stars. An important revered god for the Inca’s is the Sun-God Inti.
Cusco
Cusco is situation in the Andes on 3400 meters. Cusco used to be the capital of the Inca’s. Just a few hours from Cusco lies the in 1911 rediscovered Machu Pichu, which in 2007 was (unofficially) proclaimed as one of the “seven new world wonders”. This honorable title is one of the reasons for the increasing number of visitors each year.
