Cachiche facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cachiche
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Village
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| Nickname(s):
Witches' village
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| Country | Peru |
| Region | Ica Region |
| Province | Ica Province |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (PET) |
Cachiche is a small village located just four kilometers (about 2.5 miles) from the city of Ica, Peru. It is famous for its long history and interesting stories about witchcraft and traditional healers. Many people visit Cachiche to learn about its legends and unique culture.
A Look Back in Time
Cachiche's fame grew a lot during a period called the Spanish Inquisition. This was a time when people in Spain and its colonies were very strict about religious beliefs. Some women were accused of being witches because they practiced old, traditional beliefs.
Many of these women had to leave their homes. Some traveled to Lima, the capital city of Peru. But even there, they didn't feel safe. So, they moved further south to the Ica valley and settled in the quiet village of Cachiche. This is how Cachiche became known as a place where these traditional healers lived.
In the 1980s, people in Peru became more interested in alternative medicine. This brought new attention to Cachiche and its unique traditions.
The Legend of Julia Hernández
One of the most famous figures in Cachiche's history is Julia Hernández Pecho Viuda de Díaz. She was known as a powerful traditional healer. Local stories say she helped a young boy named Fernando Leon de Vivero. He had trouble speaking clearly, and Julia helped him overcome his stammer.
Fernando later became a congressman, a type of politician, in Lima. When he returned to Cachiche, he wanted to thank Julia. He had a special statue made from a single huarango tree. The statue shows a woman with her hands reaching up, with an owl and a skull on each side. You can still see this statue in Cachiche today.
Local legend says that Julia Hernández passed away in 1987 at the age of 106. Before she died, she made a prophecy about a palm tree in the village. She said that if the seventh head of this palm tree ever appeared, the city of Ica would be destroyed by a flood.
For a long time, people forgot about this story. But in 1997, there was a very strong El Niño weather event. Heavy rains caused huge floods in Ica. People remembered Julia's prophecy and decided to cut off the seventh head of the palm tree. However, the flooding stopped before they could do it.
This famous palm tree is still in the center of Cachiche. Local people say that it used to be a normal, straight tree. But over time, because of the powerful traditional practices performed nearby, it became twisted and deformed.
Images for kids
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The statue of Julia Hernández in Cachiche.
