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 its South 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 plan regional 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 the Andes; it
includes the Altiplano 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 from April to October, and summer from November to March. The north coast is not touched by the effects
of the cold current, which means it enjoys 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

costa (7602,000m/2,5006,500 ft), and then ascends abruptly to the western cordillera (Cordillera Occidental) of
the Andes, 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. The nuclear family
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. The extended family
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 Lima
and other coastal cities came from the United States 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 was
estimated 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 and Selva 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.

a.

b.
c.

2.

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 decisionmaking systems available for the parents to determine whether they want to send their child to public or
private school.
Secondary education (quality, levels of development, etc.) Secondary school consists of five years, from first to fifth
year.
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.
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

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. The National Council
of the Judiciary 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 ICJ jurisdiction. In 1996 a
human 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 Copyright Act and Supreme 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 for
slave workers and have since become a major influence in Peruvian society. Other immigrant groups include
Arabs and Japanese.

2. Social classes
Between the extremes of wealth and power represented by the white upper class and the native caste is the
predominantly mestizo and cholo population, 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 in Amerindian and Spanish 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 of
Indigenismo 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 largest South American 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 the U.S., 18% to Japan 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. Average
annual 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 other belief systems
1. Orthodox doctrines and structures
The Peruvian government is closely allied with the Catholic Church. Article 50 of the Constitution recognizes the
Catholic 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.

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 with the people
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. Which religions are prominent?
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-day
Adventist 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.

B. Aesthetics
Art of Peru includes wood carvings, stone sculpture, pottery, painting, etc.Due to excellent art and craf t of Peru
the network of exporters are increasing day by day. Thequalities of the artisans of Peru are seen in the concord of the
geometric designs in weaving, theminute portrayal of barbarian farming life, etc.Many arts and crafts stores are
found in Lima and other Peruvian cities.
Pre-Columbian Art and Inca art are the two categories of Peru Art.. Some of the forms of Inca art are:
*Peruvian Mirrors
*Inca Ceramics
*Andean Painting
*Carved Stone
*Tapestries and Rugs
Peruvian Mirrors are wooden mirrors which are covered up with bronze leaf and mirrors in differentshapes ans
sizes. The colonial mansions and churches of Peru were adorned by these mirrors. Carvedstones are the semiprecious stones of Andes. These stones are the good luck charms which are carved by proficient craftsmen in the
shape of eggs, spheres and pyramids. Andean Painting is an oil paintingof Peru which is composed by Peruvian
artists in various manners.

A mong Pre-Columbian Art Moche ceramics are well known. Moche pottery, Moche metalwork, effigy pots, etc.
are best known among Pre-Columbian Art in Moche.
Peru has many art shops. One of the best art s hops of Peru is Peru Arts and Crafts Stores. The products available in
this store are leather goods, jewelry, carved gourds, tapestries, musicalinstruments, mirrors, copper sculptures, etc.
All the varieties of Peru Art are very beautiful as well as attractive.

VI. Living conditions

A. Diet and nutrition

1.

Meat and vegetable consumption rates

The diet of the Peruvian population has a strong potato and rice, since the annualconsumption in both cases reach 80
to 45 kilos per capita per year respectively. Also theyconsumed per year in addition to potatoes and rice, 22 kilos
of bread, 10 kilos of pasta and 19gallons of oil.
In rural families, people consume Andean tubers and grains, while in low-income urbanfamilies food basket is also
covered with tubercles, with very few grains and mainly industrial products like wheat, with which it makes the
bread and noodles.
2.

Typical meals

Peru has a huge variety of typical meals

3.

Malnutrition rates

Malnutrition in Peru is by 4.3 percent until 2009, but that index is higher in rural areas wherechronic malnutrition is
over the 32.8 percent.

B. Housing
1.

Types of housing available

There exist many kinds of housing:

*Detached houses.
*Department in a building.
*Housing estate
* Neighborhood home.
*Hut.
*Makeshift housing.
*Others

C. Clothing

1.

National dress

In Peru s rural areas, the way people dress makes an important distinction, as aresult of the blend of pre-Hispanic
influences with the European clothing thatthe natives were forced to wear during the colonial era. Traditional dress
tendsto be capped off by woolen or straw hats, sometimes in various colors. But inthe coldest reaches of theAndes,
the highlanders tend to wear the chullo, awoolen cap fitted with earflap decorated with geometric motifs. Regional
dances require different forms of dress, depending on the area. Along the coast, an exponent of the marinera dance
replaces cotton with silk for their embroidered skirts. In the Andes, meanwhile, the danzantes de tijeras or scissors
dancers decorate their fine outfits with small mirrors and embroider an image of their guardian deity on their backs.
2.

Types of clothing worn at work

As in Ecuador, it depends of the work, exists different rules to use clothes for every occasion and every place.

D. Recreation, sports, and other leisure activities

1. Types available and in demand

2. Percentage of income spent on such activities
E. Social security
F. Healhcare

VII.. Language
A. Off icial language(s)
Spanish, the first language of 83.9% of Peruvians aged five and older in 2007, is the primary languageof the country.
It coexists with several indigenous languages, the most important of which is Quechua,spoken by 13.2% of the
population.
B. Spok en versus written language(s)
Other native and foreign languages were spoken at that time by 2.7% and 0.1% of Peruvians,respectively.
C.. Dialects
VII. Executive Summary
IX. Sources of information
X. Appendixes