Exploring Holy Week Traditions In Bolivia

Holy Week, or 'Semana Santa' in Spanish, is a significant holiday in Bolivia, with the country's official religion having been Catholicism before it was legally declared multi-ethnic and multi-cultural. During this week, which precedes Easter and marks the end of Lent, Bolivians engage in a variety of religious and cultural traditions. From elaborate meals to arduous pilgrimages, Bolivians commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in their own unique ways.

Eat 7-12 meatless dishes

Eating 7 to 12 meatless dishes is a Holy Week custom in Bolivia. This is done as a symbol of Jesus Christ's Last Supper. While Bolivians abstain from eating meat, seafood is allowed. Some of the dishes eaten during this time include:

• Ají de peas
• Ají de lisas
• Ají de Hueco
• Locro De Zapallo
• Covered Soup (layers of noodle interspersed with drowned, hard-boiled egg and baked cheese)
• Stuffed potato
• Stuffed Achojchas
• Humintas
• Rice pudding
• Cod with milk
• Gollorillas with honey
• Shrimp Chupe
• Sopa de papa pica (pica potato soup)
• Sajta de papalize (spicy potatoes with vegetables)
• Ch’uma de lacayote (thick stew with lacayote, a type of squash)
• Carbonada (sweet potatoes and pumpkin stew), scrambled achojcha (a vegetable that looks like a cross between a zucchini and bell pepper)
• Cooked fish (such as trout, shad, surubí, pejerrey)
• Pejtu de habas (broad beans with cheese, spicy topping and green onions)
• Chili de poroto (kidney bean chilli)
• Spaghetti with shrimp

Go on a pilgrimage

Holy Week is a significant holiday in Bolivia, with many people partaking in a pilgrimage to various religious sites. Each city and neighbourhood has its own route, typically covering about 12 blocks from one church to another, symbolising the pilgrimage route Jesus took during the passion.

For those seeking a more challenging experience, a longer pilgrimage route is available, spanning approximately 200 km from La Paz City to Copacabana City. This pilgrimage, undertaken by trekking or biking, leads pilgrims through the cold, rain, sun, and heat of the Bolivian High Plateau, considered one of the most difficult terrains due to its altitude, weather, and living conditions. The final destination is the Sanctuary of the "Virgen de Copacabana", one of Bolivia's most important religious sanctuaries.

Another pilgrimage route, known as "La Ruta del Inca" (The Inca Trail), takes pilgrims through the Yungas region, one of the most beautiful areas of La Paz. This ancient trail, built by the Incan Empire for commerce and communication, offers a unique landscape of exuberant vegetation and ancient construction methods. It is a well-built road with a few deviations that can be completed in 3 days, providing a life-changing opportunity for those who embark on it.

For the truly adventurous, there is "The Choro", considered a route for experts only. This 4-day trek through the Yungas Jungle is more dangerous and challenging due to the terrain and should only be accessed with an expert guide.

Visit Copacabana

Copacabana is a city on the Bolivian High Plateau, sitting at around 3600 masl. It is most famous for being the home of the Sanctuary of the Virgen de Copacabana, one of the most important religious sanctuaries in the country.

During Holy Week, Copacabana is a hub of activity, with hundreds of pilgrims arriving on foot from La Paz on Good Friday. The journey is not for the faint-hearted, as it covers a distance of about 200 km and involves battling the cold, the rain, the sun, and the heat. But for those who make the trek, it is undoubtedly a rewarding experience, as they get to immerse themselves in the local customs and traditions of Holy Week in one of the most important religious sites in Bolivia.

If you're looking for a more relaxed way to get to Copacabana, you can take a boat across Lake Titikaka, the highest lake in the world. This option is not for the faint-hearted either, as the waters are rough and nearly freezing. But it's a great choice for professional swimmers looking to challenge themselves.

Once you're in Copacabana, you can immerse yourself in the local culture and join in the Holy Week celebrations. These include religious processions, midnight Mass on Holy Saturday, and, of course, indulging in the traditional 7 to 12 meatless dishes that are prepared during this holiday.

So, if you're looking for a unique and immersive cultural experience during Holy Week, Copacabana is definitely the place to be. With its stunning natural surroundings, rich religious traditions, and lively festivities, it's sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Attend religious services

Holy Week is a significant holiday in Bolivia, with various religious services and activities taking place. Here are some ways you can participate in the religious services during this sacred time:

Attend Palm Sunday services: Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. In Bolivia, Catholics carry palm branches to be blessed by a priest. They then hang these blessed palms on their doors as a symbol of God's blessing for the rest of the year.

Join processions on Good Friday: On Good Friday, the day of Jesus' crucifixion, Bolivians carry the crucifix through the streets in processions. It is customary to visit at least six Catholic churches that night, sampling traditional desserts like arroz con leche (rice pudding), api (a purple corn drink), and buñuelos (fried donuts) along the way.

Attend midnight Mass on Holy Saturday: Holy Saturday commemorates the time Jesus spent in the tomb. Catholics in Bolivia attend midnight Mass to mark this solemn occasion.

Participate in the season of penance and fasting: From Good Friday to Easter Sunday, Catholics in Bolivia enter a period of penance and fasting, abstaining from red meat. This is a time for spiritual reflection and preparation for the upcoming Easter celebrations.

Attend Easter Sunday services: Easter Sunday is a joyous occasion, marking the resurrection of Jesus. Attend religious services to celebrate this important day in the Christian calendar.

By participating in these religious services, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich spiritual traditions of Bolivia during Holy Week. It is a time to connect with your faith, honour sacred traditions, and celebrate the resurrection of Christ alongside the devout Catholic community in Bolivia.

Celebrate with food and drinks

Food and drinks are a central part of the Holy Week celebrations in Bolivia. The custom is to eat between seven and twelve meatless dishes, symbolising the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. The number of dishes is said to be equal to your actions, though no one keeps track. The dishes are shared with family and friends.

The twelve dishes are:

• Sopa de papa pica (pica potato soup)
• Sajta de papalize (spicy potatoes with vegetables)
• Ch’uma de lacayote (thick stew with lacayote, a type of squash)
• Carbonada (sweet potatoes and pumpkin stew), scrambled achojcha (a vegetable that looks like a cross between a zucchini and bell pepper)
• Cooked fish (such as trout, shad, surubí, pejerrey)
• Pejtu de habas (broad beans with cheese, spicy topping and green onions)
• Chili de poroto (kidney bean chilli)
• Spaghetti with shrimp
• Ají de peas
• Ají de lisas
• Ají de Hueco
• Locro De Zapallo

On the Friday before Easter, community members take part in processions through the streets, walking to churches. On the way, people eat typical desserts such as arroz con leche (rice pudding), api (a hot drink made with purple corn) and buñuelos (fried donuts).

Hotels and hostels also offer buffets with lots of food and drinks, providing a stress-free way to enjoy the weekend.

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