Santiago de Huamán facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Santiago de Huamán
From top and left to right: Huamán Church, Contest Miss International Peru 2012 in Huaman Square, Chalanes in Paso Horses
Santiago de Huamán Location in Peru
Country	Peru
Region	La Libertad Region
Province	Trujillo
District	Victor Larco
Elevation	15 m (49 ft)
Population  (2005)
• Demonym	Huamanino/a
Time zone	UTC-5 (PET)
Website	Víctor Larco Municipality

Santiago de Huamán, often called Huaman, is a historic village in Trujillo, Peru. Its name, "Huaman," comes from the Quechua word for 'hawk'. This village is found in the western part of the city, within the Víctor Larco Herrera area. People visit Huaman for its beautiful Baroque-style church and the lively festivals held each year in May or June.

A Look Back: The History of Huaman

Huaman is located in the southwest part of Trujillo city. This area was once home to ancient cultures. The Moche and Chimu people lived here long ago.

Later, the Inca Empire took control of the land. They likely gave the village its name, Huaman. After the Inca, the Spanish arrived and took over.

The Oldest Church in Trujillo

The Church of Santiago de Huamán was built a very long time ago. It was finished in the early 1600s. This makes it the oldest Catholic church still standing in Trujillo. In the past, it was dedicated to the Virgin of Mercy. Monks from the Mercedarian order took care of it.

Fun Times: Festivals in Huaman

Huaman is famous for its exciting festivals. These events bring many people to the village.

• Lord of Huaman Festival

This festival is a very old tradition, more than 300 years old! It is a religious celebration that brings visitors and pilgrims to the historic Santiago de Huaman church. The festival honors the Lord of Huaman. It takes place every year from May 13 to May 27.

During the festival, people offer novenas (nine days of prayer) and rosaries. They also go to confession. There are fun sports activities in the mornings and afternoons. On the main day, special events happen. These include raising the flag and a big church service led by the Archbishop of Trujillo. There is also a procession where the sacred image is carried through the streets. A band of musicians plays as the image returns to the church.

How the Lord of Huaman Statue Was Found

A long time ago, some fishermen went to an old beach called La Bocana. They found three wooden chests. They managed to pull them to the shore.

• In the first chest, they found a priest's clothes.
• In the second, they found clothes for a saint.
• In the third, they found pieces of a holy image of the Lord.

The fishermen took everything back to their village. There, they put the pieces together and dressed the sacred image. One of the sailors woke up and said, "Lord Huaman, save us!" This is how the saint got its name.

When the Bishop of Trujillo heard about this discovery, he ordered a small chapel to be built at the site. But it was destroyed. It was rebuilt again and destroyed once more. So, the local people and fishermen decided to build the church in the village of Huaman instead.

• Patron Lord of the Sea

This festival is celebrated right after the Lord of Huaman Festival. It is another important event for the community.

Places to Visit: Tourism in Huaman

Huaman has a few interesting places to see.

• Santiago de Huamán Church

This beautiful church is located in the main square of the town. It is a must-see for its history and architecture.

• The Main Square

This is the central gathering place in Huaman. It is used for the big Lord of Huaman Festival. Sometimes, beauty contests are also held here.

Gallery

The Land Around Huaman: Geography

Understanding Huaman's Climate

Huaman has a mild climate. Here's a look at the average temperatures and humidity from 2011-2012.

Main Roads: Principal Streets

These are some of the important streets in Huaman.

• Huaman Avenue

This street starts in the historic part of the town.

• Cesar Vallejo Street

This is one of the streets found in the main square.

See Also

In Spanish: Santiago de Huamán para niños