Bolivian Confites Alasitas: Miniature Treats, Massive Cultural Significance

The Alasitas festival is an annual month-long cultural event in Bolivia, held in honour of Ekeko, the Aymara god of abundance. The festival takes place in La Paz, Bolivia, and is known for the giving of miniature items. The word 'Alasitas' comes from the Aymara word for 'buy me', and the festival originated from ancient Aymara traditions which became religious practices after the colonial period. During the festival, people buy miniature versions of goods they would like to give or receive in the coming year. These miniatures are blessed by a shaman and are believed to bring good luck. The festival is a colourful and joyful celebration that attracts locals and tourists alike.

The Aymara people and their god Ekeko

The Aymara people are an indigenous group in the Andes and Altiplano regions of South America, with a population of around 2.3 million people spread across northwest Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. The Aymara language is a third official language in Peru, and the name of the Aymara people means "a place with many communally owned farms".

The Aymara have a rich history that predates the Inca Empire, which incorporated them in the 15th or 16th century, and the Spanish colonisation that followed in the 16th century. Despite centuries of subjugation and violent insurrection, the Aymara have retained their unique culture and traditions, including their indigenous spirituality.

Central to this spirituality is Ekeko, the god of abundance and prosperity. Ekeko is believed to bring good fortune, wealth, and protection to his worshippers, and he is often depicted as a man with a moustache, dressed in traditional Andean clothes, and carrying bags of grain, food, and other objects that signify a comfortable and prosperous life.

The legend of Ekeko's origin dates back to 1781 in La Paz, Bolivia. During an indigenous uprising against Spanish rule, a young Aymara woman named Paulita Tintaya survived the siege of the city thanks to food secretly provided by her lover, Isidoro Choquehuanca, an indigenous soldier. Isidoro had given Paulita a small statue of Ekeko, known as a god of fortune and luck, and she credited the statue with miraculously providing food during the desperate times of the siege.

The story of Ekeko's powers spread, and he became a beloved figure of worship for the Aymara people. The annual Alasitas festival, held on January 24th in La Paz, Bolivia, is dedicated to honouring Ekeko. During the festival, people buy miniature versions of goods they wish to receive during the coming year, such as houses, cars, furniture, or even university degrees. These miniatures are offered to Ekeko, along with other offerings like dried llama fetuses, cigarettes, and banknotes, in the hope that Ekeko will grant their wishes and bring abundance and prosperity.

The history of the festival

The history of the Alasitas festival is rooted in ancient Aymara traditions that became religious practices after the colonial period. The indigenous Aymara people observed an event called Chhalasita in the pre-Columbian era, when they prayed for good crops and exchanged basic goods. The name "Alasitas" comes from the Aymara word for "buy me".

Over time, the festival evolved to incorporate elements of Catholicism and Western acquisitiveness. For example, during the 1781 siege of La Paz, Sebastián Segurola moved the date of the celebration from October to 24 January as a gesture of gratitude to Our Lady of Peace, the holy figure for which the city of La Paz was named. The transactions were made with stone coins, and the cult of Ekeko, the Aymara god of abundance, was reintroduced.

The festival has continued to evolve, and today it is a mix of ancient traditions and beliefs with modern-day religion and consumerism. It is a time when people purchase miniature versions of their desires for the coming year, hoping that the gods will convert their dreams into reality. The festival is also a time to honour Ekeko, with people offering him miniatures along with a lit cigarette and a few prayers.

Miniature goods and their meanings

The Alasitas festival is an annual month-long cultural event in Bolivia, held in honour of Ekeko, the Aymara god of abundance. The festival's name comes from the Aymara word for "buy me", and it is a fair where people buy miniature versions of goods they would like to own during the coming year. The tradition establishes that people should purchase a miniature of the one thing they need the most in the coming year.

The festival-goers then get their miniature purchases blessed by a yatiri, a traditional Aymara priest or witch doctor, in hopes that their dreams will be realised. The miniatures can also be blessed in a church of the participant's choice. People believe that if they give a miniature version of an item, the recipient will receive the real object during the year.

The miniatures available at the festival include household items, food, computers, construction materials, cell phones, houses, cars, university diplomas, and even figures of domestic workers. Miniature currency is also issued by the imaginary "Alasitas Central Bank" or the "Central Luck Bank".

The Aymara people hang the miniature goods around the neck of a statue of Ekeko, who they believe will bless them with better lives in the coming year. They also put a cigarette in his mouth, light it, and pray to him as he smokes. Alcohol is also sometimes offered to Ekeko, as it is believed that you must always give to the Earth before taking for yourself.

The blessing ritual

The yatiri performs a ritual that combines pre-Columbian and Catholic traditions. During the blessing ritual, the yatiri pours a liquid and sprinkles flower petals and colourful ornaments while reciting prayers. A thurible, or sahumerio, is also used to produce fragrant smoke, adding a sensory element to the ceremony.

The miniatures are believed to be blessed by the yatiri's ritual, and participants pin them to the poncho of an Ekeko statue, an indigenous god of abundance. This symbolic act expresses the hope that Ekeko will grant their wishes and bestow abundance in the coming year.

In addition to the yatiri blessing, the Catholic Church also participates in the festivities. On January 24th, the main cathedral in La Paz holds a blessing ceremony for the gifts, integrating Catholic elements into the traditional Andean celebration.

Traditional food and games

The Alasitas festival is a traditional celebration of abundance and a wish-fulfilling ritual. It is a month-long street fair held annually in La Paz, Bolivia, starting on 24 January. The festival is dedicated to Ekeko, the Aymara god of abundance, and people buy miniature versions of their desires for the coming year. These miniatures are then blessed and offered to Ekeko.

Traditional Food

The festival offers a variety of traditional Bolivian dishes, including:

• Anticuchos: beef heart kebabs with potatoes, slathered in a spicy sauce made from peanuts and hot peppers.
• Fritanga: fried pork with garlic, corn, and potatoes.
• El conejo estirado (stretched rabbit) or la trucha (trout).
• Sajta: a chicken dish with garlic, dried potatoes, and peanuts.
• Plato paceño: a local specialty with corn, cheese, meat, and fava beans.
• Api con pastel: a purple corn drink accompanied by a deep-fried cheese empanada.
• Churros and cheesecake for dessert.

Traditional Games

In addition to the miniatures and food, the festival also offers traditional games and entertainment:

• "Casamientito" (getting married) or "divorcito" (getting divorced): participants can get fake certificates and have fun with the ritual of marriage and divorce.
• Classic fair games: such as shooting at bottles with a toy shotgun to win a plush toy.
• Futbolitos, futbolines, or metegol (foosball) and pool tables.

Frequently asked questions