Monsefú (Colonial Mochica: Omænssefæc), founded as San Pedro de Monsefú, is a city in northern Peru, located in the Department of Lambayeque. It is the capital of the district of the same name in Chiclayo province.
Monsefú was elevated to the category of "city" on October 26, 1888, in the aftermath of the War of the Pacific—during which it was occupied—following a request of its deputy Manuel María Izaga. It is known today for its gastronomy and culture, being the birthplace of a number of cumbia musical groups.
Etymology
Spanish priest Fernando de la Carrera, in his work Arte de la lengua yunga (1644), argues that the word "monsefu" comes from Omænssefæc, meaning "God punishes the one who offends the earth".
History
Before the arrival of the Spanish, Monsefú would have been part of the chieftainship of Cinto, with the name of Chuspo, whose main center have been located in the vicinity of San Bartolo hill.
The town was founded by the Spanish under the name "San Pedro de Monsefú". In 1578, heavy rains and floods blighted the crops and in 1612, the area was ravaged by a disease. The population was reduced by the disease and survivors after a few years were located in what is now Monsefú.
In the early 1880s, the Chilean Army, under the command of Patricio Lynch, occupied the area and its surroundings during the War of the Pacific, where infrastructure was built by the Chilean authorities for both the locals and the troops' use, with the latter residing in a barracks. After the war, the town was elevated to city level on October 26, 1888 at the request of deputy Manuel María Izaga, under the presidency of Andrés Avelino Cáceres.
Culture
The city is known for its food and handicrafts, both on display at its annual FEXTICUM festival, named in 1973 by Professor Limberg Chero Ballena and held in July during the Fiestas Patrias. It is also the home of cumbia groups Grupo 5 and Hermanos Yaipen.
See also
- War of the Pacific