Afro-Peruvians Celebrate Santa Efigenia
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this Sept. 23, 2012 photo, Norma Vargas Portillo, right, and Milagros Gallardo walk hand in hand before performing a traditional Afro-Peruvian dance during festivities in honor of Santa Efigenia in La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint Santa Efigenia, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this Sept. 23, 2012 photo, the statue of Santa Efigenia wears a crown and earrings in La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this Sept. 23, 2012 photo, Patricia Lopez, left, prepares the statue of Santa Efigenia for a procession in La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this Sept. 23, 2012 photo, people carry the statue of Santa Efigenia during a procession in La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this Sept. 22, 2012 photo, girls who dance a traditional Afro-Peruvian dance wait for the election of the town's beauty queen during festivities in honor of Santa Efigenia in La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint Santa Efigenia, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this Sept. 23, 2012 photo, a woman holds her cat before entering it in a race during festivities in honor of Santa Efigenia in La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint Santa Efigenia, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this Sept. 23, 2012 photo, a woman watches the procession with Santa Efigenia in La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this Sept. 23, 2012 photo, people carry the statue of Santa Efigenia during a procession through La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this Sept. 23, 2012 photo, people sleep on the side of the street after a night of festivities in honor of the black saint Santa Efigenia in La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint Santa Efigenia, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this Sept. 23, 2012 photo, people watch a cat race during festivities in honor of Santa Efigenia in La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint Santa Efigenia, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this Sept. 22, 2012 photo, villagers sit on corn husks used to feed cattle, pulled by mules in La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint Santa Efigenia, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this Sept. 23, 2012 photo, a man dances "La Vaca Loca" or "The Crazy Cow" during festivities in honor of Santa Efigenia in La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint Santa Efigenia, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
In this Sept. 22, 2012 photo, villagers gather in a bar in La Quebrada, Peru. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint Santa Efigenia, the only African saint venerated in Peru. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)