Saltpeter Week

Every third week of November, “Saltpeter Week” is celebrated in the Tarapacá Region. The commemoration programme, which is elaborated by pampinos’ associations, includes activities that take place both in Iquique – a major nearby city – and in Humberstone. This event gathers over two thousand visitors annually to celebrate the Pampa Culture and remember Humberstone’s old times. Among them are former inhabitants (who are especially dressed for the occasion and exhibit their associations’ banners), their descendants, and tourists coming from all over the country. The great number of people attending this celebration reflects the strong symbolic and social values that are associated with the site, as well as its relevance for pampinos in present times.