Wood Plaque - Peruvian Nativity by L. Williams

In Peru, the Christmas celebration begins with ‘Noche Buena’ (the Good Night) on Christmas Eve. Many families purchase Nativity scenes (known here as ‘Retablos’) and Christmas figures at the central Plaza de Armas at the market of ‘Santurantikuy’ (the buying of Saints) on Noche Buena. With the majority of indigenous people being part of the Incan kingdom, Christmas did not become a tradition till the first Spanish celebration in the capital of Lima in 1535. In local Nativities, the baby Jesus is often shown with a thorn in his foot to remind people of his death on the cross for us.