LIMA — Peruvian shamans gathered on Herradura Beach in Lima’s Chorrillos district on Monday for a blessing ritual for the two candidates in the country’s presidential runoff. Holding posters of Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sánchez, the shamans conducted the ceremony by the sea using flower petals, fruit, coca leaves, fragrant pieces of palo santo, black tobacco, swords, and dolls.
The ritual, which included lighting colorful flares and banging drums, is a tradition held annually and before elections. Shaman Andrés de los Santos, who traveled to Lima from northern Peru, said, "The ritual we perform is primarily intended to ensure that the best candidate is the one who represents our Peru."
Fujimori, the conservative daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, and Sánchez, a nationalist congressman and former minister, advanced to the runoff after placing first and second in the April first round of voting. Fujimori received just over 17% of the votes, while Sánchez garnered about 12%.
The April election was marred by logistical problems that prevented thousands of Peruvians at home and abroad from casting ballots. It took weeks for Peru’s electoral body to officially confirm the two contenders for the runoff.
Unlike in past ceremonies, the shamans made no forecasts during this ritual, though they have previously claimed to predict political outcomes. The winner of the upcoming runoff will become Peru’s ninth president in the last 10 years and will be sworn in on July 28 for a five-year term.
The ritual reflects a long-standing Andean spiritual practice that blends indigenous and Catholic traditions, often performed to seek harmony and guidance during periods of national uncertainty. Such ceremonies are commonly held before major civic events, including elections and the start of the new year.
Peru has experienced frequent leadership changes in recent years, with eight presidents serving since 2011 due to resignations, impeachments, and electoral transitions. The current runoff follows a fragmented first-round vote in which no candidate secured the 50% threshold required to avoid a second round.