One of the celebrations with the greatest history and tradition in Peru is the Yawar Fiesta, which means “blood festival.” In this cultural festivity, a bull and a condor were the protagonists in a fight where each sought to survive. Today, the Yawar Fiesta is prohibited, but its legacy remains intact, as new ways of representing it are sought for its preservation. Learn more about this incredible celebration and how it has adapted over time.

• History of the Yawar Fiesta
• What was the Yawar Fiesta like?
• The Yawar festival today
• Where was the Yawar Fiesta celebrated?
• Other traditional Andean festivities
  • Pilgrimage to Qoylluriti
  • Inti Raymi
  • Andean Carnival
  • Takanakuy
  • Chiaraje
• Tips and recommendations
• Frequently Asked Questions

Sculpture representing the Yawar Fiesta

History of the Yawar Fiesta

The Yawar Fiesta is an Andean celebration that emerged during the viceroyalty of Peru (1542-1824) . The protagonists of this celebration are the condor, an animal that represents the Andean community, and a bull, which acts as a representative of the Spanish. It’s worth remembering that bulls were introduced to these territories after the Spanish conquest.

There are many theories about the symbolism of the Yawar Fiesta, but among the most notable is the interpretation offered by José María Arguedas in his book, also titled Yawar Fiesta. In his conception, the condor represents the suffering of the Andean people and how, despite being a lesser animal, it attacks the bull in an attempt to free itself.

The Importance of the Condor in the Andean Worldview
The condor is one of the most revered animals in the Andean worldview. This importance dates back to the Inca era, when the animal represented the heavenly realm (Hanan Pacha), the place where the gods and ancestors lived. Also important within this way of interpreting life were the puma, which represented the earthly world (Kay Pacha), and the serpent, which represented the inner world or rebirth (Ukhu Pacha).

What was the Yawar Fiesta like?

To kick off the Yawar Fiesta, the first step was to capture a condor. This Andean animal lives high in the mountains, making the task of finding one very difficult. Some people camouflaged themselves, others laid out extensive nets, but they tried to do so without causing any harm to the condor. Afterward, they would find a bull, usually offered by one of the festival organizers; this was the easiest part of the process.

The condor was fed very well and often made drunk to keep it “prepared” for the Yawar Fiesta. It was then tied to the bull’s back, where it would try to free itself by pecking at the bull and avoiding its horns. As the Yawar Fiesta progressed, the bull became increasingly furious, thrashing from side to side, putting on a very dramatic spectacle. During the festival, it was unusual for any of the animals to die, but they were often badly injured.

It is believed that the condor’s final state of health represents a good or bad omen for the community where it was released. One of the most emotional moments is when the condor is released, given that its condition (hopefully good) will allow it to launch itself from the top of the mountain, spreading its wings, bringing hope to the residents.

Drawing of a Condor and a Bull – Yawar Fiesta

The Yawar Fiesta was a festival that also included a program of bullfights, cockfights, and artistic performances with lots of traditional music and dances that gave color to this ancient Andean celebration.

The Yawar festival today

Animal abuse and species conservation are becoming increasingly important year after year. This is why the Yawar Fiestan was banned many years ago, due to the violence it represented, and also because the condor is considered an endangered animal.

The message of wildlife protection and preservation was embraced in many of the communities and towns where the Yawar Fiesta was held. New measures were adopted to protect the condor and the bull, while still seeking to pay homage to their traditions. Today, performances are often held only, along with dances and music that add color to the festivities, but which still maintain the message of resilience inherent in Andean culture.

This is what the Yawar Fiesta celebration looks like today

Where was the Yawar Fiesta celebrated?

Many Andean communities celebrated and still preserve the essence of the Yawar Fiesta, from stories by José María Arguedas where Puquio, in Ayacucho, was the main stage, to towns in Apurímac, where the importance of this festival is part of their cultural identity. Discover the main towns where the Yawar Fiesta is still present.

Other traditional Andean festivities

To give you a more complete overview of Andean traditions, we’ll describe some of the most popular ones. Several of them have syncretized with Catholic customs. Discover each one:

• Pilgrimage to Qoylluriti

  The pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Lord of Qoylluriti is one of the most challenging and emotional experiences for the devotees who participate. Communities or “nations” travel from towns in southern Peru to the sanctuary. Some walk for hours; others, due to its remoteness, even days. The journey involves braving sub-zero temperatures and reaching altitudes exceeding 4,600 meters above sea level, but the devotion rooted in overcoming these challenges gives pilgrims meaning.

• Inti Raymi

  The largest Inca festival is Inti Raymi (the Festival of the Sun). This magical celebration pays tribute to the sun god in the quest for prosperity and fertility for the land. Today, it’s merely a representation, but throughout this festivity, we can discover the rituals the Incas performed with their gods. It also features a unique display of dance and music, taking you back to the days of the Tahuantinsuyu empire.

• Andean Carnival

  The traditional Andean Carnival celebration commemorates the agricultural cycle of the land and brings entire communities together, where the rhythm of dance, music, rituals, festivities, and colorful clothing strengthens their social ties and cultural identity. Each region that celebrates Carnival has its own unique characteristics; the most notable are Cajamarca, Ayacucho, Juliaca, and Cusco.

• Takanakuy

  One of Peru’s most iconic celebrations is Takanakuy, a cultural event that involves bare-knuckle fighting in an attempt to resolve disputes, or simply to participate in this tradition. During the fight, only kicks and punches are allowed. Several bouts are scheduled during the Takanakuy, with a three-minute period and a referee. At the end of the fight, both opponents shake hands and end the dispute with a hug. Both men and women can participate in Takanakuy, making it a spectacle that brings together an entire community.

• Chiaraje

  The traditional Chiaraje war reveals a dispute between two communities, where the blood shed in the dispute is intended to pay homage and tribute to Pachamama (Mother Earth) to ensure a good harvest season. Chiaraje is not a feud of enmity; it is a celebration of bringing fertility to the land. To this end, participants deploy across a field and equip themselves with slings, whips, and sticks, but avoid violence.

Tips and recommendations

If you’d like to learn more about Andean culture, which is home to the traditional Yawar Fiesta festival, we’ll provide a series of tips and recommendations that will enrich your experience, as well as help you learn more about its diverse traditions.

• At any time of year, you can enjoy Andean traditions in Peru. Southern regions of the country, especially those who have rooted these traditions as a way of life. (Experiential and community-based tourism in Cusco).
• Participating in an Andean celebration will immerse you in a closer look at the importance of this diverse culture and its relationship with the land, along with its benevolence and tribute.
• The Yawar Fiesta used to be celebrated during Peru’s national holidays, and even today, around July 28th, we can find some of its performances.
• Andean culture has strong roots in Pachamama, where tribute is paid to her after every experience we live or overcome. This gives even greater value to our experiences in its sense of greater gratitude and humility.
• Acclimatization is essential for visiting Andean communities in Peru and Cusco. Try to spend at least a couple of days there before venturing into the high altitudes.
• The book Yawar Fiesta was published in 1941 by Peruvian author José María Arguedas, which details the popular festival and the conflict that underpins its tradition.
• The condor is an animal that lives mainly high in the Andes mountains, ranging in altitude from 2,000 to 5,000 meters above sea level.
• You can still experience the symbolic Yawar Fiesta in Apurímac; you’ll see it at its most authentic.
• Many of these Andean ceremonies have been practiced in these lands long before the Inca culture.
• Always remember to preserve and reciprocate with nature, just as they do in Andean culture. It’s a way of living in harmony, being aware of its value and importance.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1) What does Yawar Fiesta mean?

  Yawar Fiesta means “blood festival” in Quechua. It refers to the cultural clash between the Andean culture and the settlers, represented by a condor and a bull, respectively.

• 2) Why were a condor and a bull fighting?

  The bull symbolized Spanish colonial power and the condor represented the resistance of the Andean people.

• 3) Where did the tradition of the Yawar Fiesta originate?

  Mainly in the Andean regions of southern Peru such as Apurímac and Ayacucho, especially in towns such as Puquio and Cotabambas.

• 4) When was the Yawar Fiesta held?

  It was generally held in July, during Peru’s national holidays, although some communities celebrated it on dates related to their own festive calendars.

• 5) How did they capture the condor?

  The condor was captured high in the mountains using special nets or traps. Care was taken not to harm it and it was well cared for before the ritual.

• 6) Why was the Yawar Fiesta banned?

  For reasons of animal protection and species conservation, since the condor is an endangered species and these practices could put it at risk.

• 7) Is Yawar Fiesta still celebrated today?

  Nowadays, it is no longer performed as it once was. There are symbolic representations with music, dances, and rituals that preserve the spirit of the tradition, but without harming animals.

• 8) What does the condor symbolize for Andean culture?

  In the Andean worldview, the condor represents the heavenly realm (Hanan Pacha), where their ancestors and deities reside. Furthermore, this animal represents freedom and resilience.

• 9) Where can I see a performance of the Yawar Fiesta today?

  In Apurímac or Ayacucho, symbolic performances are often held that respect tradition without resorting to violence.

• 10) What is the main message of the Yawar Fiesta?

  The Yawar Fiesta reflects the Andean culture’s struggle for dignity and freedom, as well as its connection to the land, animals, and ancestral traditions.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Seth R.

“Machu Picchu in the clouds“

“Walking up was the best, you really feel like you are entering a fairy tale. Being there, seeing how the clouds accompany the mountains is a spectacular picture, thanks to Boletomachupicchu for the experience, I must definitely come back to visit it from all angles.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 19, 2025