Fiesta de San Juan Amazonienne
Traditions · Iquitos, Pérou
The festival
On June 24, the whole Peruvian Amazon celebrates its patron saint, St John the Baptist — and its emblem dish, the juan: rice, farm chicken, egg and seasoned olives, wrapped in a bijao leaf in the shape of a head, which recalls that of the saint. The day before, on June 23, we go to the rivers for the "baño bendito", the blessed bath supposed to ensure health and happiness all year round.
On the same day, in Iquitos, the capital of Loreto and the largest city in the world without road access, Mass and procession depart from the neighborhood of San Juan, then dance the pandilla around the humisha, a palm tree loaded with gifts that is eventually slaughtered. Around, the tourist week line up artisanal fairs, contests of Amazonian juanes and dances.
Good to know
The festival covers the whole Peruvian Amazon (Loreto, Ucayali, San Martín, Madre de Dios) and is the festive capital of Iquitos.