San Roque de Cumbaza (also known as San Roque) is a town in the San Martín Region of Peru, approximately a 45-minute drive northwest of the city of Tarapoto. Located in the Amazon rainforest, San Roque is home to a small community of people who mainly work in agriculture. Near the headwaters of the Cumbaza river, San Roque borders the Cordillera Escalera regional conservation area, a small mountain range in the low-jungle. The flora and fauna surrounding the town attract Tarapotinos each weekend to swim and relax alongside the river.
History
In 1875, a family from Lamas, Peru named the town of San Roque after the Catholic Saint, Saint Roch. While the town has officially existed since the mid-eighteenth century, traces of earlier human presence are evident by the discovery of stone axes. Early inhabitants were drawn to the area due to the abundance of fish and local wildlife that find natural refuge in the mountains of the Cordillera Escalera. First peoples included the Tananta and the Amasifuen. During the 20th century, several Mestizo families emigrated from the city of Lamas and began to farm in the area. Many of these families continue to live in San Roque and have been fundamental in establishing the present-day town.
The actual site of the town was originally built along the banks of the river, known as the Pampa. However, in 1910 a devastating flood swept through San Roque and claimed many lives, convincing the remaining San Roquíños to relocate the town higher up the mountain. The Pampa site now serves as a recreational area (see Tourism below).
In 1965, San Roque de Cumbaza District became a municipal district, with the town of San Roque as its capital. The jurisdictional boundaries of the district also include the towns of Auacaloma, Chiricyacu, Aviación, and Chunchiwi. The most recent census (2007) noted 1508 people living inside the district.
Geography
Altitude
San Roque is located 830m above sea level.
Climate
San Roque experiences an average temperature of 22 °C; daytime highs may reach 30 °C, but evenings are typically cooler when temperatures range between 15 and 20 °C.
Annual precipitation for the area is 841 mm; the main rainy season occurs from January to mid-March, but rain showers should be expected throughout the year.
Flora
Orchids
The San Martín Region in general is known for its orchids. For example, the capital of the region, Moyobamba, is also known as the city of orchids. In San Roque you can find varieties of orchids such as Scuticaria salesiana, Oncidium heterantha, and Sobralia setigera, among others.
Medicinal plants
Traditional medicines are used by some San Roquiños to treat a variety of ailments, ranging from the common cold to diabetes. Some of these local medicinal plants include achicoris, ojé (Ficus insipida), ortiga, hierba mora, and pamporégano.
Fauna
Due to the small human population and the nearby conservation area, San Roque and its surrounding area are home to a wide variety of tropical butterflies, birds, reptiles and mammals. These include but are not limited to:
Butterflies
Heliconius, parides, caligo, morpho, and heraclides.
Birds
Myiozetetes similis, Thraupis episcopus, Nyctibius spp., Ortalis guttata, Elanoides forficatus, Colaptes punctigula, Aburria aburri, Crypturellus soui, Crotophaga ani, Ortalis guttata, and Cacicus cela.
Reptiles
Esmeralda boa, coral snake, rainbow boa, and iguana iguana.
Mammals
Chironectes minimus, Didelphis marsupialis, Dasypus novemcinctus, Alouatta seniculus, Nasua nasua, and Potos flavus.
Culture
Religion
Catholicism was the dominant religion in the town of San Roque between the mid-nineteenth century until 1930, when the arrival of the Adventist and Evangelical church diversified local religion. It is also home to Huamanwasi Ashram, a center of traditional medicine which also teaches yoga.
Festivals and events
San Roque celebrates Patron Saint's Day every July 27 to the 31st. The community hosts cultural activities and sporting events, but does not include many religious observances.
Since 2010, a private company has held an annual marathon in early November, which begins and finishes in San Roque. The event attracts runners from around Peru, and San Roquiños offer a farmer's market, organize la Festival de la PANI, and sell food and drinks.