The “Fiesta de la Tirana” is a religious celebration that is made once a year in the north zone

of Chile, more specifically in the Tirana town, Commune of Pozo Almonte, in the Tarapacá
region. This celebration is done every July 16, in honor of the “Virgen del Carmen del
Tamarugal”, where is the religious party more big and the more popular of the country, in
this place people from various places for appreciate the different topics that this celebration
offers.

This festivity is of Andean origin, it is origin as a party beginning because of the Bolivian
mining workers, after he changed his focus to saltpeter with the nitrate boom. This party is
celebrated in three countries, Chile, Peru and Bolivia.

Legend

She is the Princess Ñusta Huillac, daughter of the companion of the discoverer of land Diego
de Almagro, the priest of the Inti cult Huma Huillac. Diego de Almagro organize an expedition
at the end of the year 1535 from Cuzco to Chile for discover new land together with a lot of
person, among them soldiers and Indians. During the expedition, the most of the Indians
fled to the Tamarugales forest on the area of Pica, including the princess. They lived 4 years
inside the forest, she took command of the group leading them. She sent to kill all unbaptized
people, whether Spanish or Indian getting the nickname “Tirana del Tamarugal” due to its
dominant and evil character.

One day a man called Vasco de Almeyda appeared looking for the “Mina del Sol” when he
was captured by the Indians. The Ñusta hesitated to kill him and she suggested converting
him to the Inti cult, but he said no. While he waiting for his execution, they fall in love. Due
of that, “La Tirana” changed her personality becoming in a catholic, such event caused the
murder of the couple at the hands of the Indians. She asked to be buried with her love and
that they put a cross on them like a reminder of them true love.

Years later a missionary priest found the cross with the sign of the “Vingen del Carmen”
supporting the positive change of the princess, starting the construction of a church with the
name “Virgen del Carmen de la Tirana”