|
CITIES
CHICLAYO
- Chiclayo
- The Royal Tombs of Sipan
- Gastronomy
Chiclayo is a part of Peru where the
tropical sun, desert oases and fresh sea breeze come
together. Legend has it that the god Naylamp sailed
here with a vast retinue thousands of years ago to find
his empire. In fact, many ancient civilizations saw
the strategic advantage of controlling this region.
Today, it is a major business hub in northern Peru,
where routes come together from the coast, highlands
and jungle. Chiclayo is the capital of the department
of Lambayeque, which gave rise to the Mochica culture
from the first to the seventh century AD.
Near the town of Sipán, 35
km (22 miles) from Chiclayo, lies Huaca Rajada, a complex
where archaeologists discovered the tomb of the Lord
of Sipán, a high-ranking leader whose body was
accompanied by gold relics and jewelry. The treasure
trove is on exhibition at the brand new museum: Museo
Tumbas Reales de Sipan.
Another major complex is that of
Túcume, also known as the Valley of the pyramids,
because there are 26 of them. Visitors can take in archaeological
sites and the natural landscape, as well as experience
folk healing and a culture interchange in general, thanks
to the active participation of the community in the
preservation of their natural and cultural heritage.
Chiclayo also boasts of the finest
cooking in northern Peru, serving dishes such as arroz
con pato (duck served with rice) and the local variation
of cebiche (raw fish marinated in lemon juice). The
city celebrates the festival of Santisima Cruz de Chalpón
in February. This is a good time to visit nearby Pimentel,
a modern beach resort which provides opportunities for
water sports such as surfing. One can also watch how
the local fishermen still breast the waves with the
caballitos de totora, the reed rafts that have been
used along the north coast for thousands of years.
THE ROYAL
TOMBS OF SIPAN
In 1987, a small group of Peruvian
archaeologists led by Dr Walter Alva discovered the
tomb of an important Moche governor, at Huaca Rajada
(at 21 miles southeast of the city of Chiclayo), complete
with all his attire, riches and his symbols of power.
The discovery was world news and is considered as important
as the discovery of the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamon
in 1922.
The Lord of Sipan died some 1770
years ago. As sovereign, he was considered a semigod.
He lived for about 40 years and was 5.5 feet tall.
His rich robes and accessories included
necklaces, breastplates, ear spools, nose rings, helmets,
bracelets and sceptres, mostly in a combination of gold
and silver.
Of exceptional beauty are the three
pairs of turquoise and gold ear ornaments showing ducks,
deers and the Lord of Sipan himself, as well as the
breastplates of delicately threaded shell beads. The
necklace contains gold spheres and another of huge peanut
shells - ten of which were in silver, ten in gold. The
scepter is decorated with an inverted gold pyramid with
scenes of human sacrifice.
There are also objects in copper,
spondyllus shells and semiprecious stones. Most of the
pieces are decorated with symbols.
Shortly after the discovery of the
Lord of Sipan's tomb, Alva and his team found two more
tombs, of a Priest and the Old Lord of Sipan.
The importance of this discovery
and the need to provide an appropriate place to house
the finds, led to the construction of the Royal Tombs
of Sipan Museum, which opened in 2002 in the city of
Lambayeque (9 miles from Chiclayo).
GASTRONOMY
Cebiche. Raw fish
marinated in lemon juice, onion and aji chilli pepper.
Tortilla de raya.
An omelette with salt-dried ray.
Chinguirito.Cebiche
made from from shredded salt-dried fish.
Seco de cabrito con frijoles.
Stew of tender kid marinated in maize beer.
Arroz con pato a la chiclayana.
Duck in dark beer and cilantro.
Chirimpico. A stew
made from marinated goast offal.
|
Huaca Rajada 
Dr Walter Alva and our first Executive
Director Edgar Pereyra 
CESAR P. RIOS