cultural analysis of peru

7/26/2019 Cultural Analysis of Peru

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Cultural Analysis

Guideline

Introduction

In this section, were going to talk about the culture of our target country that is Peru.

II. Brief discussion of the countrys relevant history

Peru is a country in western South America; it was home to the Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest in the

world, and to the Inca Empire, the largest state in Pre-Columbian America. The Spanish Empire conquered the

region in the 16th century and established a Viceroyalty, which included most of itsSouth American colonies.

After achieving independence in 1821, Peru has undergone periods of political unrest and fiscal crisis as well as

periods of stability and economic upswing.

III. Geographical setting

Peru is divided into 25 regions and the province of Lima. Each region has an elected government composed of a

president and a council, which serves for a four-year term. These governments planregional development, execute

public investment projects, promote economic activities, and manage public property. The province of Lima is

administered by a city council.

Location

.Peru covers 1,285,216 km2 (496,225 sq mi). It borders Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east,

Bolivia to the southeast, Chile to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The Andes Mountains run parallel to

the Pacific Ocean, dividing the country into three geographic regions. The costa (coast), to the west, is a narrow

plain, largely arid except for valleys created by seasonal rivers. The sierra (highlands) is the region of theAndes; it

includes theAltiplano plateau as well as the highest peak of the country, the 6,768 m (22,205 ft) Huascarn. The

third region is the selva (jungle), a wide expanse of flat terrain covered by the Amazon rainforest that extend s east.

Almost 60% of the country's area is located within this region.

B. Climate

The climate of Peru varies quite a bit depending on the region and on the time of year. Humidity on the coast

produces a sensation of cold, although temperatures rarely dip below 12C.During the summer the sun beats down

and temperatures often top 30C. The central and southern sections of the coast feature two well-defined seasons:

winter fromApril to October, and summer fromNovember to March. The north coast is not touched by the effects

of the cold current, which means itenjoys 300 days of sunshine a year and warm temperatures all year-long (as

much as 35C in the summer). The rainy season runs from November to March. The highlands are much colder

than the coast.A characteristic of the mountain region is the drop in temperature during the night. Temperatures

commonly range around 24C at midday before plunging to -3C at night. The jungle features high humidity all year

long. In the southern jungle, there are sometimes cold spells known locally as friajes or surazos, cold fronts which

drift up from the far south of the continent between May and August, where temperatures can drop to 8-12C.

C. Topography

Peru is divided into three contrasting topographical regions: the coast (costa), the highlands (sierra), and the eastern

rainforests (selva). The coastline is a narrow ribbon of desert plain from 16 to 160 km (10 to 100 mi) broad. It is

scored by 50 rivers, which water some 40 oases. Only a few of these rivers, which have their source in the

Andean snow banks, reach the sea in all seasons.Although the coastal region constitutes only 12% of the national

territory, it contains the ports and chief cities of Peru. Inland, the low costa rises through the steep wastes of the high


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costa (7602,000m/2,5006,500 ft), and then ascends abruptly to the western cordillera (Cordillera Occidental) of

theAndes, which, with its ridge of towering peaks, runs parallel to the coast and forms the Peruvian continental

divide. The less regular Cordillera Central and Cordillera Oriental merge in central Peru with the Cordillera

Occidental. They branch off to the southeast, meeting a transverse range that becomes a crescent of peaks forming

the drainage basin of the 8,288 sq km (3,200 sq mi) Lake Titicaca, the highest large navigable lake in the world

(about 3,810 m/12,500 ft high), which is bisected by the Peruvian-Bolivian border. Of the 10Peruvian peaks that rise

above 5,800 m (19,000 ft),Huascarn, 6,768 m (22,205 ft), is the highest.

IV. Social institutions

A. Family

1. Thenuclearfamily

The "Peruvian family" is of course not a homogeneous entity, but rather reflects both ethnic and socioeconomic

factors. If there is a generalization to be made, however, it is that families in Peru, no matter what their status, show

a high degree of unity, purpose, and integration through generations.

2. Theextendedfamily

The average size for families for the nation as a whole is 5.1 persons per household, with the urban areas registering

slightly more than this and, contrary to what might be expected, rural families, especially in the highlands, being

smaller, with a national average size of 4.9 persons. The roles of the different family members and sexes tend to

follow rather uniform patterns within social class and cultural configurations. In terms of family affairs, Hispanic

Peruvian patterns are strongly centered on the father as family head, although women increasingly occupy this titular

role in rural as well as urban areas, amounting to 20 percent of all households. Family life at all levels of society is

nourished by an ample number of ceremonial events marking all rites of passage, such as birthdays, anniversaries,

graduations, or important religious events, such as baptisms, confirmations, and marriages. Family life is thus

marked by small fiestas celebrating these events and passages. In this context, Peruvians have greatly elaborated the

Roman Catholic tradition of godparenthood (padrinazgo) to encompass more occasions than simply celebration of

the sacraments of the church, although following the same format. Women's roles in the squatter settlements cover a

wide variety of tasks, including hauling water from corner spigots and beginning the daily preparation of food over

kerosene stoves. In the 1975-91 periods, the food supply for substantial numbers of the urban lower class in Limaand other coastal cities came from theUnitedStates Food for Peace (Public Law 480) programs administered by

private voluntary organizations. Women also keep their wide-ranging family members connected, seeking the food

supply with meager funds, and doing various short-term jobs for cash.According to social scientist Carol Graham,

the poor urban areas have a high percentage of female-headed households, as

well as a large number of abandoned mothers who are left with the full responsibility for supporting their

households and raising the children.

B. Education

1. The role of education in society

Education is nominally free and compulsory for children ages 7 to 16. For the year 2000, the adult illiteracy rate wasestimated at 10.1% (males, 5.3%; females, 14.6%). The government has been responsible for public education since

1905; free secondary education began in1946, but with far too few public schools to meet the need.

Several long-term projects have been initiated to increase literacy and raise living standards among the adults of the

remote Sierra andSelva areas. In March 1972, new education legislation enhanced the central authority of the

Ministry of Education, granting the government control over all teaching appointments in the public schools and

increasing its authority over the private sector.


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a. Primary education (quality, levels of development, etc.)The student begins in the first cycle, which consists

of the first and second grade. The age of the children entering this stage of their education is six years. This

level begins at first grade, and ends with sixth grade and is divided, for curricular purposes, into three

cycles: cycle one (first and second grade), cycle two (third and fourth grade), and cycle three (fifth and

sixth grade); after sixth grade, the student passes on to secondary school. Additionally, there are decision-

making systems available for the parents to determine whether they want to send their child to public or

private school.

b. Secondary education (quality, levels of development, etc.) Secondary school consists of five years, from first to fifth

year.

c. Higher education (quality, levels of development, etc.) Higher education in Peru consists of technological

colleges, both public and private. They offer courses lasting three years (approximately 3,000 hours

of study), graduating with a title as Technical Professionals. Some courses may be four years in length

(approximately 4,000 hours of study), and a student would graduate with the title of Professional.

2.

Literacy rates

Literacy was estimated at 92.9% in 2007; this rate is lower in rural areas (80.3%) than in urban areas (96.3%).

C.Political system

1.

Political structure

Peru is a presidential representative democratic republic with a multi-party system. Under the current constitution,

the President is the head of state and government; he or she is elected for five years and can only seek re-election

after standing down for at least one full term. The President designates the Prime Minister and, with his advice, the

rest of the Council of Ministers. There is a unicameral Congress with 120 members elected for a five-year term.

Bills may be proposed by either the executive or the legislative branch; they become law after being passed by

Congress and promulgated by the President. The judiciary is nominally independent, though political intervention

into judicial matters has been common throughout history and arguably continues today.

2.

Political parties

APRA

Peruvian Nationalist Party UPP

PPC

National Renewal

Cambio 90

S Cumple

Popular Action

Possible Peru

National Restoration

3. Stability of government

Generally speaking, Peru has a lot of stability in its government; its policy has been marked by different periods

cited below:

The Inca Empire and Spanish conquest in 1521

Independence.- from 1981 to 1824

Military Rule and the Role of the Democracy.

Instability at 1980s.

The Fujimori decade.- (1990 2000)

The Garcia Administration


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4. Special taxes

Peru applies a value-added tax (VAT) rate of 18 percent to most products, and special consumption taxes, ranging

from 10 to 50 percent, on certain items. Peru's methodology of applying a "consolidated rate" to assess special

consumption and sales taxes on imported goods is burdensome, since the taxes are applied consecutively.

D.Legal system

1. Organization of the judiciary system

The judicial branch of government is headed by a 16-member Supreme Court seated in Lima. TheNational Council

of theJudiciary appoints judges to this court. The Constitutional Court(Tribunal Constitucional)interprets the

constitution on matters of individual rights.Superior courts in regional capitals review appeals from decisions by

lower courts. Courts of first instance are located in provincial capitals and are divided into civil, penal, and special

chambers. The judiciary has created several temporary specialized courts in an attempt to reduce the large backlog

of cases pending final court action.

2. Code, common,socialist,or Islamic-law country?

Peru's legal system is based on civil law system. Peru has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction. In 1996 ahuman rights ombudsman's office( defensor del pueblo)was created to address human rights issues. The Peruvian legal

system is based generally on the Napoleonic Code. The 1993 constitution guarantees the independence of the

judiciary.

3. Participation in patents,trademarks,and other conventions

In Peru exists The CopyrightAct andSupreme Decree 061-62 to protect copyrights. It includes the copyright to all

works of production of creative, scientific and artistic domain in every way of expressing it. Copyrights protect each

other several types of creations: literary works, artistic works, scientific works, others like phrases, titles,

translations, adaptations with permission and software.

4. Marketing Laws.

There isnt restrictions for marketing.

E. Social organizations

1. Group behavior

Peru is a multiethnic country formed by the combination of different groups over five centuries. Amerindians

inhabited Peruvian territory for several millennia before Spanish Conquest in the 16th century; historian David

N. Cook estimates that their population decreased from an estimated 9 million in the 1520s to around 600,000 in

1620 mainly because of infectious diseases. Spaniards and Africans arrived in large numbers under colonial rule,

mixing widely with each other and with indigenous peoples.After independence, there has been a gradual European

immigration from England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Chinese arrived in the 1850s as a replacement forslave workers and have since become a major influence in Peruvian society. Other immigrant groups include

Arabs andJapanese.


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2. Social classes

Between the extremes of wealth and power represented by the white upper class and the native caste is the

predominantly mestizo andcholopopulation, which largely comprises the lower and middle sectors of rural and

urban society. These are the most numerous and diverse sectors, constituting the core of Peruvian national society in

culture, behavior, and identity. Together, these sectors include a wide range of salaried working class

families, persons in business and commercial occupations, bureaucrats, teachers, all military personnel (except those

related to elite families), medical, legal, and academic professionals, and so forth. In terms of occupation, residence,

education, wealth, racial, and ethnic considerations, the population is diverse, with few clear-cut markers

differentiating one segment from another. Yet, there are obvious differences among the regions of the country that

combine with those indicators to suggest a person's social position in relation to others.

4. Race, ethnicity,and subcultures

Peruvian culture is primarily rooted inAmerindian andSpanish traditions, though it has also been influenced by

various African, Asian, and European ethnic groups. Peruvian artistic traditions date back to the elaborate pottery,

textiles, jewelry, and sculpture of Pre-Inca cultures. The Incas maintained these crafts and made architectural

achievements including the construction of Machu Picchu. Baroque dominated colonial art, though modified by

native traditions. During this period, most art focused on religious subjects; the numerous churches of the era and

the paintings of the Cuzco School are representative. Arts stagnated after independence until the emergence ofIndigenismo in the early 20thcentury. Since the 1950s, Peruvian art has been eclectic and shaped by both foreign

and local art currents.

F. Business customs and practices

Peru, the third largestSouthAmerican country and over twice the size of France, is the world's sixth largest

producer of coffee with an estimated 1.9% of total world production. It is the third largest producer in Latin

America, which produces 60% of the world total coffee production of which 30%,comes from Brazil and 10% from

Colombia.Almost 90% of Peru's coffee production is exported. In 1989/90 this totaled 1,369,000 (60 kg) bags the

main markets, which were 44% to theU.S., 18% toJapan and 13% to Germany.Unfavorable exchange rates caused

a drop in exports to around 970,000 bags in 1990/91 but should increases lightly about 1,100,000 bags in 1991/92.In

total, an estimated 500,000 workers depend on coffee for a living and it is one of Peru's major exports. Averageannual production runs at 1.2 million bags; the 1991/92 crop is expected to be in the region of 1.3 million bags up

13% from the previous year's total. While the crop has benefitted from favorable climatic conditions, it has been

affected by low market prices, high production costs, lack of credit, competition from coca (from which cocaine is

derived) and civil unrest.As a result and as in recent years, a large portion of the crop will not be reaped.

V. Religion and aesthetics

A.

Religion and otherbelief systems

1. Orthodoxdoctrines and structures

The Peruvian government is closely allied with the Catholic Church.

Article 50 of the Constitution recognizes theCatholic Church's role as "an important element in the historical, cultural, and moral development of the nation."

Catholic clergy and laypersons receive state remuneration in addition to the stipends paid to them by the Church.

This applies to the country's 52 bishops, as well as to some priests whose ministries are located in towns and villages

along the borders. In addition each diocese receives a monthly institutional subsidy from the Government. An

agreement signed with the Vatican in 1980 grants the Catholic Church special status in Peru. The Catholic Church

receives preferential treatment in education, tax benefits, immigration of religious workers, and other areas, in

accordance with the agreement.


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Although the Constitution states that there is freedom of religion, the law mandates that all schools, public and

private, impart religious education as part of the curriculum throughout the education process (primary and

secondary). Catholicism is the only religion taught in public schools. In addition, Catholic religious symbols are

found in all government buildings and public places.

2. Relationship withthepeople

Religious activity in Peru is important, and for many people, one of the "centers of energy" in the world is the city of

the Cusco.

3. Whichreligions areprominent?

In the 2007 census, 81.3% of the population over 12 years old described themselves as Catholic, 12.5% as

Evangelical, 3.3% as of other denominations, and 2.9% as non-religious. The religion of Peru is an inheritance of the

Spanish conquest, for this reason, it is a mainly Catholic country (more than 75% of the population).

4. Membership of each religion

Seventh-day Adventists mission efforts in Peru began in the 1920There are currently 769,980 Seventh-dayAdventist members in Peru split into 2 conferences, according to the church website. This would represent 2.6% of

the current population .Latter-day Saints Mormon missionaries first arrived in Peru in 1956. In 1981, the Lima Peru

Temple was dedicated. The church has seen rapid growth in Peru. In 2008 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints claimed more than 460,000 members in Peru.[5] There is currently only one LDS temple in Peru, located at

La Molina in Lima. However, Church leaders announced the building of a second temple in Trujillo on December

13, 2008.[6]

5. Any powerful or influential cults?

Since the 16th century, along with Catholicism, expressions of the native religion, based on the cult of the

Sun, the Pachamama (Mother Earth) and elements of nature, have also been present. Those who study religion, still

cant agree how to treat two very different religions in a process of fusion or of parallel beliefs.

cultural analysis of peru

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