The Coca and Traditions Museum in Puno shows us the importance of this ancestral plant, the “Coca Leaf,” presenting its varieties, uses, and types.
We know that coca is used as medicine, for direct consumption, and in offerings, but not all coca leaves are the same. There are various varieties. To learn more about them, visiting the museum is essential to understand its importance in the Andean world.
A Journey Through the Past and Traditions
The tour is fascinating, where visitors can explore the importance of the coca leaf and the customs that are part of daily life in the Highlands. It offers us the opportunity to understand how the coca leaf has been a central element in Andean cultures, not only as a medicinal plant but also as a part of Andean cultures.
The museum has two rooms: The Coca Leaf Hall and the Customs Hall. The first shows all the studies collected about the coca leaf throughout human history. In the Customs Hall, it displays the diversity of Puno’s traditional costumes, accessories, and masks from various traditional dances celebrated in Puno.
History of the Coca and Traditions Museum
The Coca and Traditions Museum was created with the purpose of reflecting on Andean identity and its resistance over the centuries. Through its exhibitions, the museum helps preserve and spread the ancestral knowledge of the coca leaf and the folkloric traditions of the region.
Exhibitions and Rooms of the Coca and Traditions Museum
Within the exhibitions, it talks about the use of the coca leaf, showing how it has been used as medicine since ancient times, giving it a deep spiritual and social value. By visiting the museum’s rooms, you’ll learn about the various uses of this plant and its relevance in the daily life of the local communities.
The hall shows us the uses of the coca leaf. From direct consumption to relieve altitude sickness to its use in sacred rituals, it is a fundamental part of the Andean worldview.
The Customs hall showcases traditional costumes and representations of the region’s festivals. Puno is known for its vibrant cultural life, especially for its dances and celebrations. In this museum, visitors will be able to appreciate the colorful traditional costumes, adorned with handmade embroidery, and learn about the most important festivals, such as the Festival of the Candelaria. One of the most important celebrations in Peru.
Highlights of the Coca and Customs Museum
Among the museum’s most notable exhibits are the infographics about the multiple uses of the coca leaf in the cultures of the Altiplano and around the world. The coca leaf is used in religious rituals, such as offerings to the earth, and is valued for its properties to combat altitude sickness, as a natural analgesic, and to improve digestion.
The traditional costumes from the typical dances of Cusco are also highlighted. Such as the Diablada Puneña, Ayarachi, Morenada, Caporales, Wifalas, Sicuris, Tinkus, among others. These costumes are used in important festivals, such as the Virgin of the Candelaria Festival, carnivals, the Alasitas Festival, the Santiago Apostle Festival, among others. For this reason, Puno is recognized as the Capital of Folklore.
Location, Hours, and Fees
If you are interested in visiting the Coca and Customs Museum in Puno, here are some useful details:
| INFORMATION | DESCRIPTION |
| Location | The museum is located at Ilave St. 581, in the center of Puno, making it easily accessible for visitors to the city. |
| Visiting hours | The museum is open to the public from: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. |
| Cost | Admission to the museum is affordable, and many visitors consider it worth it due to the richness of the information and exhibits. |
