The arrival of the Spanish in Peru in the 16th century dramatically changed the ethnic and social makeup of the country. Today Europeans, mostly of Spanish ancestry, make up only about an eighth of Peru's population but hold most of the power and wealth.
Mestizos, or people of mixed American Indian and European ancestry, account for about a third of the population and are middle class. They speak Spanish and usually have an active role in the country's political and economic systems.
American Indians are the largest ethnic group in Peru, making up about half of the population. But they live in poverty and have little or no say in the affairs of the country. They speak their own languages, mostly Quechua and Aymara. People of Japanese and Chinese ancestry are a small part of the population, but they are prominent in business and politics. Roman Catholicism is the main religion.
In the 20th century many Peruvians moved from the countryside to cities and towns along the coast. Lima, the capital and by far the largest city, is near the coast in central Peru.
The culture of Peru is a blend of Indian and European traditions. Peru's best-known contribution to the performing arts is probably the traditional music of the Andean region. Known as música folklórica, it is made with flutes, panpipes, the charango (a small guitar made from an armadillo shell or a gourd), and drums. Popular along the coast is música criolla, which has roots in Africa and Spain.
The main instruments for this form of music are guitars and wooden boxes on which the player beats out a rhythm. |
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