Three Kings celebration - Epiphany in Peru

Every year on January 6 Peruvians, just as many other Christians, commemorate the arrival of the Three Wise Men or Three Kings at Jesus’ manger bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

But as so often in Peru those kinds of celebrations are not only about the Catholic customs and rituals brought to the country by the Spanish conquerors nearly 500 years ago, but as well include ancient indigenous traditions and rites.

In the Andes, where the “Bajada de los Reyes” is widely celebrated, January marks the height of the rainy season which brings water essential for growing crops and a good harvest. Ancient Peruvians celebrated the rain with numerous festivities which later merged with the Spanish celebrations for “Dia de los Reyes Magos”.