Rachel in Peru!

In Peru, the word “Criolla” can have different meanings (also see “Chicha“), it can be a lifestyle, it can be a food, or it can be a genre of music.

Origins

The term itself, Criolla, comes from the Portuguese word, “Crioulo.” It means, “A slave born in his master’s house,” or “A black(man) born in the colonies.” In English this term translates into “Creole;” which also has many different meanings in the North American context. In Latin America, however, this meaning of this term evolved to include “a white(man) born in the Americas.” Criollos in the Latin American colonial context was used to refer to persons of (pure) Spanish blood born in the American colonies.

Eventually, the Spanish-Criollos no longer identified with the Madre-Patria (España) and soon began to form their own national identities and pride across Latin America. In the case of Peru, Criollismo and Peruanidad were born.

Lifestyle

“Viveza Criolla” in Peru means “Kindheartedness, unconditional help, and loyalty” to one’s “brother.” It is the meaning of “hermano” in each Criolla song.

According to the late Peruvian writer and intellectual, Sebastián Salazar Bondy, the term “Viveza Criolla” was once used to describe the lifestyle of a scoundrel and the “tontos” (stupid people) he defrauded. Today in Peru, the illicit element of “Viveza Criolla” is moot, La Vida Criolla in Peru is one of a laid back, bohemian coastal lifestyle.

Food

Criolla Food or Comida Criolla is a fusion of centuries and cultures that have defined Peru. Peruvian Criolla Food is the fusion of Inca and Spanish flavors. Pre-Colombian ingredients were combined with the ingredients of the old continent. The fusion of old world and new world didn’t end there, however, the colors of Peruvian Criolla Food are the contribution of African slaves who cooked in the Viceroyalty kitchens of Peru.

Typical criolla plates include (but certainly aren’t limited to):  ají de gallina, anticuchos, carapulcra, escabeche de pollo, arroz con pollo, tacu tacu, arroz con pato, cau cau, lomo saltado, cuy (guinea pig) chactado, and rocoto relleno.

Recipes for these plates can be found in English and Spanish at Yanuq.com.

UT Arlington Community: visit Ñusta’s Cafe for an authentic taste of Peruvian Criolla Food and Desserts. See my personal review of Ñusta’s >> here <<

Music

Of course, La Vida Criolla and Comida Criolla would be incomplete without La Música Criolla (If you were in my SPAN 3312 Latin American Civilization and Society class then you will be familiar with this section). Similar to Peruvian Criolla Food, Criolla Music is also a fusion of cultures. The instruments, rhythms and the lyrics are contributions of Austrian, Polish, Spanish, Andean, and African denizens of the Peruvian coast.

The Austrians introduced the Waltz, the Polish introduced the Polka, the Spanish La Jota, Castañuelas and Guitar, the Andean Mestizos the wind instruments, and the Africans the percussion (Cajón Peruano).

The music started as the Peruvian Waltz (Vals Peruano) and took hold of popular culture by the 1920s under the Old Guard (Guardia Vieja). The Old Guard were truly the pioneers of Peruvian Criolla Music, some notable members of the Guardia Vieja are: Luis Pardo, Rosa Mercedes Ayarza de Morales, and Felipe Pinglo.

On the 18th of October, 1944 a Supreme Resolution was passed by President Manuel Prado Ugarteche, declaring every October 31st the Day of the Criolla Song. From the 1950s onward great names in Criolla Music emerged, among them: Chabuca Granda, Augusto Polo Campos, Lucha Reyes, Luis Abanto Morales,  Carmencita Lara, Arturo “Zambo” Cavero, Oscar Aviles, and Eva Ayllon.

Conclusion

Criollismo is one of the many fibers of the fabric that is Peruanidad. It is the Mestizaje of this Andean nation and the wondrous product of history, cultures, and ethnic groups working together in harmony. It is a way of being and it is an identity that is uniquely Peruvian.

UT Arlington Community: for live Criolla Music (Every Saturday & Sunday) and more Peruvian Food, visit El Tesoro del Inca in Irving.

{A History of Women in Peruvian Criollismo – in Spanish}

Feature Photo: El Comercio Blog

Citation Sources (not included as links in text):

http://www.clubregatas.org.pe/revista/200312/cancriolla.htm

http://portal.perueduca.edu.pe/calendario_civico/especiales/criollo/index_criollo.htm

http://www.monografias.com/trabajos66/vals-criollo-peruano/vals-criollo-peruano.shtml