Hotel De Turismo Tilcara

Tropic of Capricorn

by barryg23

The Tropic of Capricorn crosses Argentina 16km north of Tilcara, just south of the tiny village of Huacalera. A large sundial and a sign mark the spot and it's a popular stopping point for travellers on Ruta 9. Buses will stop in Huacalera but there are very few facilities here so come prepared.

We cycled from Tilcara to the Tropic, a difficult enough journey as it was uphill most of the way there, while on the way back we had to content with the strong winds which blow up the Quebrada de Humahuaca in the afternoons. It's quite an experience cycling downhill against a strong wind.

At the sundial a group of kids sell souvenirs. They were very friendly and seemed more interested in our bikes than in trying to sell us anything.

Tilcara (Jujuy)

by balieyes

There is a time of the year in which the calm streets of the jujeýos towns fill of jolgorio, uncontrol and mainly joy, intermingling the religious faith and the paganism because the carnival has arrived. The appointment is in the month of February or principles of March, in Tilcara (in the zone of the Quebrada de Humahuaca), a city of around 300 habitants mainly agriculturists and cattle dealers, recognized like the archaeological capital of the province and where enjoy the carnival with greater fervor

"CARNIVAL OF THE DEVIL"

In Jujuy, the summer gets dressed red celebrating the carnival. Everything is allowed and the devil crosses the town in search of diversion.
The rite
All hard one week, where the festejos are made accompanied of chicha (spirit typical obtained of the fermentation of the maize) and cocaine (the leaves of the plant are chewed or infusions become). Great festejo begins the Saturday of carnival. To five of afternoon, all the presents, as much native as visitors and tourists, meet around anyone of the five stone landmarks that are in mounts and it is come to unearth the Carnavalero Devil that it symbolizes to the red sun, that according to the belief is the one who it fertilizes to the Pacha Mama (mother earth), giving origin to the seeds, roots, trunks, foliages and fruits of the region

All this ceremony makes comparsas in hills, surrounded by hundreds of people and the devils that appear of the anything about 10 minutes before the beginning of the ceremony, running by all sides to people to begin to seduce young ladies and to cheer to people. Once finalized the ceremony all they lower singing songs and water, flour, talc and serpentine are thrown. Soon songs go by the houses singing. The diversion is total, to such point that the participants must enunciate the following paragraph: "I authorize to my esposo/a to amuse whatever it wants and it can, it drinks until drink themselves, and Mrs/Mrs is distracted with whatever appear to him..."