Conversely, traditionalist elites argued that Peru's civilized identity began with the Spanish Viceroyalty, minimizing or disregarding the cultural depth of the Andean civilizations.
The concept of peruanidad (Peruvianness) is central to the identity, history, and soul of Peru. While many intellectuals have attempted to define what it means to be Peruvian, few have left as profound a mark as Víctor Andrés Belaúnde. His seminal work, Peruanidad , remains a cornerstone of Latin American essays, exploring the cultural synthesis, historical destiny, and spiritual identity of the nation. peruanidad victor andres belaunde pdf