Living in Peru : your everyday companion

By Rodney L. Dodig

The city of Lima is full of wonderful museums. For those interested in art, archaeology, history, cultures, customs and many other topics; this city provides plenty of venues for you to learn about them. One of the largest is located in the district of San Borja on Javier Prado Este, El Museo de la Nacion. The museum is in the process of renovation but there is plenty to see and learn about in this museum despite the construction going on. I don’t know about the future but admission to this museum is free at this point so now is a great time to go visit.

Presently there are exhibitions on three of the floors of the museum. The first is located on the second floor and is dedicated to archaeological finds and items from the colonial and republican times of Peru. There is a large collection of ceramics, musical instruments, weapons and other artifacts from Peru’s rich pre-Hispanic cultural past. Items from cultures like the Nasca, Inca, Paracas, Wari, Chimu, Moche and many others reside here. Bowls with figurines inside and musical horns made by the Wari, Jewelry and pins from the Ancash and Aribalos from the Inca are just a few of the thousands of artifacts on display. Off to one side is a small display room with works of silver and gold from archaeological sites. Here there is a silver mantel and a breast plate from the Lambayeque era and a gold mask from the Moche among other treasures.

On this floor there are also items from daily household use during Colonial times as well as paintings from this era. There are paintings on display by famous colonial artists like Sabrino Springnet, Teodor Nuñez Ureta and Leonor Vinatea Cantaurias plus many others.

Masks and dolls in traditional costumes from festivals held in various parts of Peru will give you a glimpse of the color and pageantry associated with them. Fiestas like the Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria in Puno or the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen de Paucartambo near Cusco are just a couple I can mention. The displays on this floor cover a time period from 7600 BC into the republican era.
See photos of the exhibits in a slide show.

On the fourth floor they have the works of a number of Peru’s best indigenous artists on display as well as some photos from the early part of the 20th century. Artists like Enrique Camino Brent, Camilio Blas, Teresa Caravalto and Jose Sabogal. There are painting styles that range from classical to impressionist and that show the great talent of artists from this time period.

Museo de la Nación Av. Javier Prado Este 2465, San Borja, Lima, 476-9875 See information on current exhibits at the INC website (in Spanish).

The last display that is open to the public as of this writing is located on the sixth floor. Here you will find a tremendous collection of photos from a very terrible time in Peru’s past: the era of the Shining Path, terrorists who caused a great deal of death and destruction as well as destabilizing society. This area can be disturbing and thought should be given before bringing children to this floor. Be ready to explain these horrific images. Images like the “Massacre of Lucanamarca” where 69 people and 18 children were murdered by Shining Path members. To this day many people from this time are still missing and unaccounted for. I think this display is important for the people of Peru and any other’s who visit here. It will remind you the ability of men and women to be inhumane; much like the “Killing Fields” in Cambodia. That we must be ever vigilant and aware of the terrible things that man can be capable of.

The museum also hosts musical events, plays and other artistic shows. Recently some of the best artisans from all over Peru were invited to display their work. There was everything from wood carving and ceramics to stunning textiles, all handmade.

It is a museum that all Peru can be proud of and I am looking forward to revisiting the museum when the renovation is completed.

Read more stories from Peru by Rodney Dodig. Click here to see his blog and read his fiction at Peru Writer's Group.

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