Doña Josefa Marmanillo

My research project is about how Peruvian food connects with culture. I have chosen to highlight the life of Doña Josefa Marmanillo. She was an Afro-Peruvian slave that lived near Lima, Peru in the Cañete Valley. Marmanillo was skilled at cooking but became paralyzed in her arms. She went to the procession for Señor de los Milagros which means Lord of Miracles. The painting of Christ there was known to lead to miracles and healing. After her visit, Marmanillo was healed. To show her gratefulness, she created a desert called Turrón de Doña Pepa. The desert had become part of a tradition and is eaten every October in Peru during the Lord of Miracles celebration.

Marmanillo contributes to my research project because she created a desert that plays a role in Peruvian culture. Since she was a woman and a slave, one of her duties most likely involved cooking. Her experience with cooking could have helped her with making the desert. Some slaves converted to Christianity. That shows us one of the lasting effects of colonialism. It also reveals that Latin America has a lot of outside influence. Indigenous artists would sometimes be paid to paint pictures of Christ on churches.

This contributes to an inclusive portrayal of the diversity of Latin American historical figures because Marmanillo was a woman of color and still recognized for creating the desert. Women and especially women of color would not always be credited for their work. The desert is still eaten today for the Lord of Miracles celebration. It is one of the world’s largest Catholic ceremonies.

Source:

Smith, Lisa. “Religion Mixed with Food: Turrón De Doña Pepa.” The Recipes Project, March 21, 2019. https://recipes.hypotheses.org/14756