The people of Peru

Inca ceremony. Image © Marcel Stigter

Peru has a rich ethnic diversity. About 45% of the population is Indian. Most of these Indians are Quechua (descendants of the Inca's). The Quechua populate the highlands of the Sierra. A smaller group of Indians speak Aymara or Aymara-related languages. These people can be found in the Selva (the Amazon rainforests) and around Lake Titicaca. Although Spanish is the official language of Peru, Quechua is an official recognised second language.

Children's carnival, Pisco. Image © Marcel Stigter

The second group are the mestizos. Mestizo is a mix between white and Indian, and they make out 42% of Peru's population. The mestizos live everywhere in the country, but are concentrated along the coastline and in the big Andean cities.

Fisherman. Image © Marcel Stigter

About 10% is white, mostly from Spanish descendants and concentrated along the coastline. Black and Asian make out 3% of the population; they too are concentrated in the coastal regions. Most blacks are descendants of African slaves. Asians (mainly Japanese and Chinese) are immigrants who came to Peru at the first half of the 19th century.

Little girl in Urubamba Valley. Image © Jack Ritter

Every group has its own lifestyle. Along the coast and in the highland cities, the whites and mestizos  live in a modern Western style. In vivid contrast to these settlements are the jungles of eastern Peru, the home of Indian tribes so isolated that their life-style resembles that of their ancestors 500 years ago. The Quechua Indians from the Sierra also have strong traditions which go back to the Inca times.

Woman. Image © Marcel Stigter

About 89% of the population is roman catholic. There are also various traditional Indian religions. However, often these religions are more or less integrated in the roman catholic church. A growing religion in all Latin America's big cities, so also Peru, are the modern missionaries: Christian fundamentalist organisations of North-American origin, who are gaining influence among the poor.

Most people, whether they are from the Costa, the Selva or the Sierra, whether they live in a modern western style or live in the rainforest, still have strong belief in traditions and rituals that go back to the Inca times.

Boys in Chivay. Image © Thierry Jans

The Andean and coastal people have strong cultures and traditions and their own kinds of music, dance and culture.

Both images © Jack Ritter

People near Chivay, Colca Canyon. Image © Thierry Jans