Peruvian Traditions: Ricardo Palma's Latin American Historic and Folkloric Tales

The figure of Ricardo Palma still looms large in Spanish American literature because he preserved Peru’s past in delightful narratives that he called “tradiciones,” a new genre he invented.

His “tradiciones” are widely read in the original language in university and college literature classes throughout the United States; however they are relatively unknown to those who do not read Spanish. This collection makes some of his “tradiciones” available to readers of the English language.

Why read them?  Because of Palma, Peru and especially Lima, its capital city, will live forever. His “tradiciones” are the door to a fascinating world that the author has portrayed with unusual skill and verve.

What is it in the “tradiciones” which explains their popularity? First, they are interesting.  There are duels, love affairs, miracles, excommunications and blood shed because of a concept of honor which permeated their lives. Second is Palma’s style, which is irreverent, ironic, and light in tone. Many have tried to imitate it. No one has succeeded. Finally, he portrays colonial society in great detail. One might say that if someone wishes to see how society functioned in real life in Peru’s past he should read the “tradiciones.”

ABOUT THE EDITOR

Dr. Merlin D. Compton has devoted most of his professional career to the researching and publication of works dealing with the life and works of Ricardo Palma. He wrote his doctoral dissertation, UCLA-1959, on the concept of honor in Palma’s “tradiciones,” and since then he has written extensively about Ricardo Palma. Compton’s works include numerous articles and four books. In recognition of his research on this great Peruvian, the University of Ricardo Palma in Lima has made him an “Honorary Professor” and has inducted him into the Ricardo Palma Institute as a Corresponding Member of that body. In the citation issued by the University, Compton was recognized as “the most important disseminator (diffuser) of the works of Ricardo Palma in his country.”

CHAPTER 15
THE TILES OF THE CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO

(A Tradition in Which There is Proof that Not Even a Person Standing in the Shadow of the Gallows Should Ever Lose Hope.)

To all here present let it be known that the most just Real Audiencia¹ of this City of the Kings of Peru [Lima] has condemned to death on the gallows Alonso de Godínez, native of Guadalajara, Spain, for having murdered María Villoslada without fear of divine or human justice. Let he who committed such a crime pay the price! Let this be a lesson to all present so that no one will find himself in similar straits. Let justice be done!

Such was the proclamation that the populace in the Plaza Mayor of Lima heard on the 13th of November, 1619. The gallows were erected close to the intersection of the narrow Petaleros Street.

Let’s listen to a conversation going on between some idlers and some busybodies who were gathered together in a small shop in which fabric adornments were made.

“On my soul, what a dashing young man is being lost,” said a handsome young fellow from Andalusia. “All because of a woman who wore short skirts, who was a schemer, and to top it all off, was a scatterbrain. Would you believe that this viceroy snuffs out the life of a human being the way someone would compose ballads and doggerel?”

“Stop your grumbling, Menchaca. You know very well that justice is justice and knows what it is doing. And without letting our tongues wag too much, keep in mind the miserable fate of Don Martín de Robles, who was no pickpocket but a real hidalgo who ended up in an ugly fashion because he made fun of the Viceroy, the Marquis of Cañete,” replied the owner of the shop, who was a very reserved Catalonian.

“Well, as for me, Montúfar, I’m not going to swallow my words. I will say what I want to and then deal with the consequences. I will say it again and then repeat it that it is not right to sentence a man to death because of the sin of love.”

“What a wild fellow the condemned person must be...He must be worse than a tomcat on the prowl.”