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16 October, 2007 11:20:03 | in art, culture, lifestyle

Mes Morado and the Tale of Turrón de Doña Pepa

By Diana P. Olano

As a kid, I only ate the hard candies found atop the Turrón de Doña Pepa my mom would serve my brother and I. Never really cared much for the cake itself, but then again, I wasn’t born and bred in Peru. I also never questioned why we would only ever eat the Limeñan dessert during October. Relatives would send us truck loads of the stuff during that month. October was also when my parents would take us to a local procession held for El Señor de los Milagros (The Lord of the Miracles). Was it a coincidence we only ate turrónes during “el mes morado” (the purple month)? It definitely wasn’t.

Peruvians are aware there’s a connection, but many aren’t sure what it is. And with good reason: there seems to be no verifiable source for the dessert’s origin. There are, however, legends of how it came to be. I’m going with the most well-known one. Luckily, it also happens to be the most intriguing one, as well.

Josefa Maraminillo was an Afro-Peruvian slave from the Cañete Valley during colonial times. Josefa, more commonly known as Doña Pepa, suffered from paralysis in her arms that restricted her from doing everyday chores. Aware of the miracles granted to those faithful, she prayed to Cristo de Pachacamilla (El Señor de los Milagros), asking him to cure her of her illness.

The image of El Señor de los Milagros is the most venerated image of Christ in Peruvian culture. In 1655, the image, painted by a slave in the region of Pachacamilla, miraculously survived Lima’s worst earthquake to date. The Las Nazarenas Church where it was held was completely destroyed, minus one wall that didn’t collapse: the wall where the image was painted.

Josefa made the trip to Lima for the procession to catch a glimpse of the image that would hopefully grant her the miracle she needed. And on the first day of the procession, her prayers were answered. She was cured, able to use her arms and hands again.

Eternally grateful for the gift El Señor de los Milagros had given her, she wanted to do something to show her appreciation. That night, she dreamt of the recipe for turrón. By the second day of the procession, Josefa walked amongst the crowd with this new confectionary treat, a gift for El Señor.

Every year, Josefa made the trip to Lima to offer her turrónes as a symbol for the love, faith and gratitude she had for the miracle that was bestowed upon her. She passed on the recipe to her daughter, who passed it down to hers, and so forth. Each October, they would make the journey to Lima, turrónes in hand and never forgetting the history behind it.

Many people assume Doña Pepa is just the brand, but in fact, it is the type of turrón sold by the hundreds this month. Sure there are other kinds, but no other version has its own film-worthy background. Now if only I could find a version I like…

For more information on El Señor de los Milagros, check out last year’s feature.

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16 Comments

# Karin Xander says :
20 October, 2007 [ 09:50 ]

Dear Diana,

Thanks for the information about Turrones. I am a Peruvian living in Columbus, Ohio since July 3, 2006. As you know there is not to many Peruvian population over here, besides all around me is just American people include my husband. So, last week I was trying to explain my co-workers about this special month, pourple month, The Lord of the Miracles as well and aslo about the Turron, but I wasn't sure about what year was the earthquake, now thanks for your information I'll be able to give it to them.
Also tell The owner of this web site, that this is actually a good resource for foreing people to get to know about Peru. Congratulations for this web site and thanks for the information.
Karin Xander. (Karin Salvatierra)

# Jerry l. Powers says :
26 October, 2007 [ 10:01 ]

Hi Karen!
Hope you enjoy America & Ohio. My wife is from Lima & we have been married for 10 years. Tell you husband to write, keep in touch, ok?
...................................................Jerry L. Powers, Catoosa, Ok

# Carol Barnes says :
7 October, 2008 [ 04:22 ]

I am american my Ex-husband [now deceased] was peruvian I been in Peru & love the month of october myself because of the "Turrones". If i ever went again it would be in October.
Carol

# Maritza Quispe says :
7 October, 2008 [ 06:07 ]

Dear Diana,
I am limeña just living in Canada and october is traditional for us. This year I"ll miss the procession and the turrones, of course! Now we can find the turron all the year but october has an special meant!
I will print your article to show my friends/

Maritza Quispe

# América Cisneros-Piña says :
7 October, 2008 [ 11:19 ]

I left Peru at age 19, 43 years ago but I hold on to my traditions and this is one of them...
The cult to our patron, El Señor de los Milagros, is the most important religious celebration in Peru... and that turron de Dona Pepa does not have competition, it is unique. Although it is traditional for the month of October, there are bakeries that make it and sell it all year round.
I belong to Centro de Ayuda Peru, a non-profit organization, that celebrates The Lord of Miracles the fourth Sunday in October since 1970.
We start with a Mass honoring El Cristo de Pachacamilla, as He is called and immediately afterwards we have the music-food festival at the church hall (free admission).
For those interested:
Church of Corpus Christi
62 Santa Rosa @ Alemany Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94112
Sunday, October 26, 2008 - 11:00 a.m.
In Northern California there is a big Peruvian community and there are purple celebrations every weekend during this month.
Being such a Peruvian tradition it is very nice to be able to carry it out outside of Peru.
Diana, thanks for getting this subject going...

# says :
7 October, 2008 [ 11:47 ]

Sorry I am back so soon... but I feel the need to add that every third Sunday in October, La Hermandad del Señor de los Milagros in San Francisco, celebrates the Lord with a very solemn Mass at the Mission Dolores Basilica at 12 noon, followed by a procession with a live band and you would swear you are in Peru.
There are several hermandades (brotherhoods) but I think this one is the mother of them all, because it congregates thousands of multinationals from the Greater Bay Area of San Francisco.
Thank you.

# Hermandad del Señor de los Milagros says :
8 October, 2008 [ 03:53 ]

# Carol Barnes says :
8 October, 2008 [ 05:15 ]

   I had to add something I am not in Cal. but is there any site online that you can buy a picture or something of "El Senor de lost milagros"? As my Oldest Daughter was born there & would love something of him, Thank you so very much.

                 Carol
                   bigmom815@ aol.com

# José Soto Ríos says :
8 October, 2008 [ 07:50 ]

I want to thank to Diana Olana for the very important article about de origen of the name "Turrón Doña Pepa". I also make the question, why we can eat it only on october, why not in another month of the year?
Trujillo-Perú

# Carol says :
8 October, 2008 [ 08:14 ]

   I forgot to also Thank you Diana for starting this, sure do bring back memories I could never wait until october when I was there even if it was for 2 octobers.
                 Carol
               bigmom815 @aol.com

# America says :
8 October, 2008 [ 10:03 ]

Carol, I am writing to your private email.

Jose, turron de Doña Pepa is sold all year round in Lima but it is an October tradition.

For those interested:
Mission Dolores Basilica: Dolores St. @ 16th -Oct. 19th Mass at 1:30 p.m. followed by the Procession. Time change due to an ordinance from the Vatican.
Corpus Christi Church: Santa Rosa @ Alemany Blvd - Oct. 26th Mass at 11:00 followed by a music-food festival.

Thanks for the forum...

# Susana Guzman says :
6 November, 2008 [ 11:33 ]

My sister makes Turron Doña Pepa, they taste like the real Peruvian ones, and lots of people say it's even better because they FRESH and very SOFT!!
We leave in Calgary, Canada if somebody is interested.

# Jerry Powers says :
6 November, 2008 [ 02:28 ]

Hello Susana!
Welcom to this site. Many good people here to cheer you.
My Peruvian wife & I live near Tulsa Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Keep in touch, ok?................Jerry

# Vero says :
9 February, 2009 [ 03:15 ]

Hi Karin Xander
I'm a peruvian living in Columbus, Ohio TOO
and you are right, We are few in this city and I dont know if you are aware of Peruanos en Ohio, It's a source of our ppl here
I live in the south west of col, I made several peruavian friends since I moved to Columbus, In fact I work w/a peruvian

# Nelly Cavero-Cronin says :
4 May, 2009 [ 09:41 ]

Hi, like many others, I love, enjoy mi turron de dona pepa ,I found an excellent recipe, and I'm going to try this too, I believe that you don't have to wait until october, enjoy now. My husband try for the first time, he love it! Thank you for info about Dona Josefa and the turrones. We live in the northwest part of Illinois; Crystal Lake .

# Jerry Powers says :
4 January, 2010 [ 05:39 ]

Hello Susana Guzman,
Yes, we are interested in you & your husband in Calgary. You may see what my wife has at: LittlePebblesAcademy.blogspot.com
Please keep in contact all you others from Peru. Thanks!

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