Regional Folkloric Museum

Buenos Aires 435
Tel. 0887-21011
Open every day from 5a.m. to 8p.m.

Founded by Sixto Vázquez Zuleta in 1969, this museum was originally devised as the Museum of the Northern Carnival. Over the - ears its wealth of exhibits grew until it harbored an overall exhibition of the folklore of the Quebrada region, where upon it changed its name to that of Regional Folkloric Museum. The aim pursued by this institution is to preserve and exhibit a collection of ojects covering the material expressions of all the branches of folklore. Exhibits include an assortment of belongings of the local mountain people; a sample of all the musical instruments of the northwest materials and preparation of regional food and drinks; a collection of typical costumes worn bv the local people dioramas of traditional customs such as the burial of the Carnival of Humahuaca, the baby angel´s wake and the offerings of All Saints Day. The museum is equipped with a library specialized in folkloric subjects, an archive and a photographic laboratoty, and a hall in which audiovisuals on traditional festivities and customs and typical locations are projected.

Humahuaca
The town of Humahuaca is located 126km. away from the city of San Salvador de Jujuy and lies 2,939m above sea level. It is on national route No. 9 and is one of the regions where one can appreciate genuine picturesque carnival celebrations and the cult to the "Pachamama" or mother earth. Houses are built of adobe and streets are very narrow. Noteworthy town buildings are its church, the town hall - seat of the old "Cabildo" - that has a clock weighing 1,800kg., which makes it one of the largest in South America, and contains an image of St. Francisco Solano that emerges at 12 o'clock noon and blesses the public. Facing the town hall is the Independence Monument depicting a running "chasqui" (native messenger). The sculpture is made of bronze and weighs 60 tons.