Santurantikuy in Cusco Everything You Need to Know

Santurantikuy is a traditional Christmas fair in Cusco and, in many ways, the heart of the Christmas celebrations in the Imperial City. As Jorge Flores Ochoa once said, “For me, Christmas is Santurantikuy, just as it is for all Cusqueños.” On this special day, more than 1,000 artisans gather in the Plaza de Armas, not only local artists but also artisans from across southern Peru, making it a perfect opportunity to find an original gift, as the fair is filled with surprises every year. Let’s take a closer look at this remarkable traditional fair.

Etymology:

The Quechua word “Santurantikuy” means “buy a saint” or “buy a little saint,” using the affectionate diminutive characteristic of the Quechua language. The name was probably established from the way merchants called out to visitors and encouraged them to purchase their products.

A Brief History of Santurantikuy

This celebration dates back to the arrival of the Spanish in Cusco in 1533, when the process of evangelization began almost immediately. Christmas, celebrated in December, became one of the main religious festivities and was adapted to existing Inca traditions without major difficulty, since this period of the year also coincided with the great Hatun Raymi celebration, traditionally associated with the Cusco elite.

As part of this evangelization process, a demand emerged for the objects and figures needed to create nativity scenes. This demand was met by the new artisans whom the clergy began training in painting, sculpture, music and other arts associated with the celebration.

Over time, artists emerged in different neighborhoods of Cusco. What began as a small artistic industry gradually developed and acquired distinctive characteristics that can still be seen today in the creation of sacred images such as the Niño Manuelito, angels, animals and richly decorated garments used to adorn traditional Cusco nativity scenes.

On October 5, 1937, the American Institute of Art, under the direction of Dr. Uriel García Ochoa, organized a competition among artists from the city of Cusco with the aim of revitalizing and promoting this popular fair, which had declined considerably at the time.

This traditional fair was officially recognized as Cultural Heritage of the Nation in October 2009.

Handicrafts at Santurantikuy

Santurantikuy is a place where visitors can discover some of the most authentic Peruvian handicrafts. Many independent artists work throughout the year specifically to present and sell their creations during this special time.

The fair brings together religious-image makers, metalworkers, sculptors, painters, leatherworkers, ceramic artists, weavers and goldsmiths, giving visitors an extraordinary variety of handmade works to discover.

Paintings:

Visitors can find and purchase high-quality paintings created by artists who continue the tradition of the Cusco School of Painting, which generally focuses on religious themes.

Niño Manuelito:

Niño Manuelito is the name traditionally used by the people of Cusco for the image of the Christ Child. The name comes from the interpretation of the biblical prophecy of the prophet Isaiah concerning the birth of Emmanuel, which became Manuel in local tradition and, affectionately, Manuelito.

Niño Manuelito deserves special attention because he is essentially the protagonist of Santurantikuy. His tradition dates back to the colonial period, when Jesuit missionaries promoted devotion to the so-called Inca Child Jesus. Dressed with the emblems of the highest ruler of the Tahuantinsuyo and a solar disk on his chest, the image provoked opposition from Catholic authorities of the time, causing this particular form of devotion to practically disappear.

Later, we must wait until the 20th century for the tradition to re-emerge. By then, the sculptural characteristics of Niño Manuelito had already been established, but the representation became particularly consolidated through the work of Antonio Olave.

After receiving a commission to restore an image of the Child Jesus recovered from a ravine in the district of Vilcabamba, Olave incorporated the story of Q’alito, a young shepherd who saw one of his playmates crying because of a thorn embedded in his foot. Q’alito placed a thorn in his own foot and said, “Don’t cry, I have one too—see?” This story inspired Olave to create a sculpture representing that precise moment.

Niño Manuelito is traditionally depicted as an angelic-looking child. Its distinctive features include real hair woven into the head, glass eyes that give the figure remarkable realism, a mirrored palate, teeth made from bird-feather shafts—some traditions mention condor feathers—and a carefully detailed nude body, something relatively unusual in religious imagery.

In popular tradition, these figures are believed to have personalities of their own, often described as playful and mischievous. This belief is sometimes used to explain why their clothing becomes dirty and must be changed every year, or why certain parts of the sculpture may break.

Some believe that Niño Manuelito represents an identity within the Andean worldview that differs from the conventional image of the Christ Child. We, however, consider it primarily an expression of the cultural syncretism resulting from the fusion of Andean and Spanish traditions.

Goldsmithing:

For this special occasion, goldsmiths continue to create crowns and other garments and accessories specifically designed for the Niño Manuelito figures, saints and virgins featured in the celebration. They also offer a wide variety of gold and silver jewelry, often available at attractive prices.

Sculptures:

The sculptors participating in this traditional fair offer exceptionally high-quality works, generally featuring religious themes or free artistic expression. Visitors can find crucifixes, saints, representations of Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary and, of course, many different representations of Niño Manuelito, along with other beautiful sculptures covering a wide range of subjects.

Textiles and Clothing:

The fair also offers a variety of alpaca-wool and cotton textiles, as well as numerous small garments designed for Niño Manuelito figures and other religious images.

Pucará Bulls:

The famous Pucará bulls are among the most representative handcrafted pieces of the Peruvian Andes, and their colorful designs appear in countless variations throughout this remarkable fair.

Annual New Creations

As mentioned earlier, many of the artists who participate in this important fair work independently throughout the year and present their creations to the public specifically during this special season. In addition, these artisans constantly seek to innovate and bring something new and original to visitors each year.

Recommendations:

Wear comfortable clothing:

To explore this crowded and lively fair, make sure you wear comfortable clothing and footwear, as you may want to walk around the main square several times. A single visit is often not enough to discover all the surprises and artistic treasures waiting for you.

Keep your belongings secure:

Because Santurantikuy attracts such a large number of visitors, there is always a possibility of accidentally becoming the victim of theft. We recommend carrying your belongings in a small backpack and keeping it in front of you, allowing you to enjoy the fair with greater peace of mind.

Be prepared for possible rain:

December is a distinctly rainy month in Cusco, and rainfall in Cusco and the Peruvian Andes can be highly unpredictable. For this reason, remember to bring waterproof clothing as a precaution.

Have cash ready:

The fair is filled with wonderful works of art, but credit card payments may not always be readily available. Make sure you have enough cash with you—you would not want to fall in love with a beautiful sculpture or painting only to miss the opportunity to purchase it because you do not have cash on hand.

Explore the entire fair before making a purchase:

A good idea is to walk through the fair from one end to the other at least a couple of times. The large crowds can sometimes make it difficult to appreciate everything that Cusco’s talented artisans have to offer.

Establish a meeting point:

Although modern technology has made communication much easier, the enormous number of people attending this fair can overload nearby mobile networks, making phone calls and internet access more difficult.

If you become separated from your group or friends, it is therefore a good idea to establish a meeting point where everyone can reunite. The main fountain is one of the easiest landmarks to use.

Date of the Fair:

Santurantikuy itself takes place only on December 24 every year, in Cusco’s main square, from approximately 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 or 9:00 p.m.

It is worth mentioning that other Christmas fairs are also held throughout Cusco, generally beginning around December 15 in places such as Belén Square and Túpac Amaru Square. Other municipalities have adopted similar initiatives in their own squares to support local artists and diversify their economies.

Competition and Recognition of the Best Artisan

This activity is organized by the Municipal Festivities Company of Cusco. Each year, the institution recognizes the best artistic works presented at the fair through a jury made up of prominent figures from the Diego Quispe Tito School of Fine Arts in Cusco, encouraging local artists to continue developing their craft.

Let’s celebrate Christmas with all the tradition and joy that Cusco has to offer. We hope this information helps you enjoy your stay in Cusco to the fullest.