Carnival In Bolivia: When The Festivities Commence

The Carnival of Oruro is a religious and cultural festival held annually in Oruro, Bolivia. The festival has been celebrated since the 18th century and is a mix of Catholic and pre-Columbian customs. The Oruro Carnival is one of UNESCO's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The festival features spectacular folk dances, extravagant costumes, beautiful crafts, lively music, and up to 20 hours of continuous partying. The Carnival starts with a ceremony dedicated to the Virgen del Socavon, with marching bands playing simultaneously in the grotto of Pie de Gallo on Sunday to greet the Virgin. The festival culminates in a three-day, three-night parade featuring over 48 groups of folk dancers, 150 bands, and 400,000 visitors stretching over four miles.

The Oruro Carnival is a blend of Catholic and pre-Columbian customs

The Oruro Carnival is an annual festival held in Oruro, Bolivia. It is a blend of Catholic and pre-Columbian customs, reflecting a religious syncretism that arose from the region's history of colonisation and indigenous culture.

Oruro, known as "Uru Uru" in the indigenous Aymara language, is a small mining town in the mountains of western Bolivia. The area was once a religious pilgrimage centre for the Andean natives, who worshipped the Pachamama (Madre Tierra) and their ancient god Tío. The origins of the Oruro Carnival date back to before the arrival of Spanish settlers, when the Andean natives held great festivals in honour of their gods.

With the colonisation of the region by the Spanish in the 17th century, native Itu ceremonies were banned. However, the Uru people continued to observe the festival by transforming it into a Catholic ritual on Candlemas, celebrated in the first week of February. Christian icons were used to conceal portrayals of Andean gods, and Christian saints replaced other minor Andean divinities.

The Oruro Carnival also has its roots in an ancient belief that a virgin once helped a wounded man return home near the silver mines of Oruro. Since then, the town has become a symbol of protection for Bolivian miners. In 1756, a mural of the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared in a mineshaft of the richest silver mine in Oruro, leading to the dedication of the Carnival to the Virgen de la Candelaria (Virgin of the Candlemas) or Virgen del Socavon (Virgin of the Mineshaft).

The Oruro Carnival thus combines Christian rituals centred around the Virgin of Socavón with the indigenous cults of the Pachamama and Tío. The festival begins with a ceremony honouring the Virgin, with groups playing traditional Bolivian music to greet her. The "Tío de la Mina", a malevolent character considered the uncle of the mountains, is the most famous figure of the Carnival, transforming into the Devil during the festivities.

The main parade of the Oruro Carnival is a grand spectacle, lasting up to 20 hours and stretching over 4 kilometres. It features 20,000 dancers, 150 groups, and 10,000 musicians. The parade showcases two main works: the first depicts the Spanish conquest, and the second portrays the battle of San Miguel between Good and Evil, with San Miguel symbolising the mythical city of "Uru".

The Oruro Carnival is a unique blend of Catholic and pre-Columbian customs, reflecting the cultural and religious diversity of Bolivia. It has become a symbol of national culture and a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, recognised for its historical, cultural, and religious significance.

The festival is held annually in February

The carnival begins with a ceremony dedicated to the Virgen del Socavon, where marching bands play to greet her. The Friday before the main event is a soirée dedicated to El Tio, the malevolent character considered to be the Uncle or God of the mountains, who turns into the Devil during the carnival. The following days – Pilgrimage Saturday, Carnival Sunday, and Devil's Monday – are a three-day, three-night parade featuring over 48 groups of folk dancers, 150 bands, and 10,000 musicians. The parade covers a four-kilometre route and can last up to 20 hours.

The parade is led by Archangel San Miguel, followed by the iconic devils and a host of bears, pumas, monkeys, and condors, symbols of Uru mythology. The most elaborate costume is worn by the chief devil, Lucifer, who dances with other devils and China Supay, or devil women, who attempt to seduce San Miguel. At the end of the dance troupe are the "seven deadly sins": pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. The parade finishes with two plays: the first about the Spanish conquest and the second about San Miguel's battle with good and evil, in which the angels kill seven devils, each representing the seven deadly sins.

The Oruro Carnival is a blend of Catholic and pre-Columbian customs, reflecting the religious syncretism of the region. It is a true symbol of Bolivian national culture and has been declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. The festival attracts more than 400,000 visitors each year and is one of the most famous and oldest carnivals in the world, having existed for more than 200 years.

The Carnival is a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site

The Carnival of Oruro in Bolivia is a religious and cultural festival that has been celebrated for centuries, dating back to the 18th century. Originally, it was an indigenous festival, but it later incorporated Christian rituals and symbolism. The festival is a blend of Catholic and pre-Columbian customs, reflecting the religious syncretism of the region. It is considered a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, recognised for its contribution to the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.

The Oruro Carnival is held annually and attracts more than a million people. The event features a main parade that can last up to 20 hours, with over 20,000 dancers, 10,000 musicians, and 150 groups participating. The parade includes traditional Bolivian music, dances, and colourful costumes. The "Diablada", or the "dance of the devils", is a famous part of the carnival, blending Catholic and indigenous symbolism.

The Carnival of Oruro has a rich history and cultural significance. The area that is now Oruro, known as "Jururu" (Uru Uru) in ancient times, was a religious pilgrimage centre for the Andean world. The indigenous people would trek to the "Sacred Mountain of the Urus" to invoke protective deities. After the Incan Empire expanded to the region, the culture evolved to include new deities, such as the evil demigod WariDesam and the sacred demigod Apus waka.

Spanish colonisation led to the suppression of indigenous native legacies. However, the inhabitants of Oruro preserved many indigenous rites, resulting in the unique blend of Catholicism and Wari Culture seen in the carnival. The modern festival demonstrates this ongoing pagan-Catholic mix of religious practices in the region. The carnival starts with a ceremony dedicated to the Virgen del Socavon, with marching bands competing in her honour.

The Oruro Carnival is a symbol of Bolivian culture and has become a strong regional tradition. It showcases the multiculturalism of Bolivia and the variety of folk dances and music from different regions of the country. The carnival was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008, recognising its importance in preserving and promoting Bolivia's cultural heritage.

The event is held in a small mining town in the mountains of western Bolivia

The Carnival of Oruro is held in a small mining town in the mountains of western Bolivia. The town, which sits at an altitude of 3,700 meters, is usually sleepy, but it comes alive during the annual Carnival celebrations. Oruro, known as "Uru Uru" in the indigenous Aymara language, was a religious destination for the Andean natives long before the arrival of Spanish settlers. The area was a religious pilgrimage centre, where pilgrims would trek to the "Sacred Mountain of the Urus" to call upon protective deities.

The Carnival of Oruro has its origins in these ancient beliefs and traditions. It is a religious and cultural festival that blends Catholic and pre-Columbian customs, reflecting the religious syncretism of the region. The festival is held in honour of the Virgen del Socavon (Virgin of the Mineshaft) and the Sanctuaria del Socavon (Church of the Mineshaft), where the most important elements of the Carnival take place.

The Carnival of Oruro is a spectacular event, featuring folk dances, extravagant costumes, beautiful crafts, lively music, and continuous partying for up to 20 hours. The main parade features over 20,000 dancers, 150 groups, and 10,000 musicians, stretching over a four-kilometre route. The parade includes the famous "Diablada" or "Dance of the Devils", as well as other traditional Bolivian dances such as "la Morenada" and "los Tinkus".

The town's population quadruples during the Carnival period, attracting more than 400,000 visitors each year. The unique festival is a true symbol of Bolivian culture and has been declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, recognised as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The Carnival is a religious and cultural festival, celebrated since the 18th century

The Carnival of Oruro is a religious and cultural festival celebrated in Oruro, Bolivia. It has been held since the 18th century and is one of the oldest carnivals in the world. The festival is a blend of Catholic and pre-Columbian customs, reflecting the religious syncretism of the region.

The origins of the Carnival of Oruro date back to before the arrival of Spanish settlers. It was originally an indigenous festival where Andean natives celebrated and worshipped their gods, Pachamama (Madre Tierra), and their ancient god, Tio. The Uru people also celebrated the religious festival, Ito, from which the Carnival is thought to have originated.

In the 17th century, Spanish rule led to the banning of native Itu ceremonies. However, the Uru people continued to observe their traditions by disguising them as Catholic rituals. They incorporated Christian icons and saints into their worship of Andean gods, giving rise to a blend of religious symbolism.

By the mid-18th century, Andean rituals had evolved into Catholic observances, resulting in the religious celebration known today as the Oruro Carnival. The festival is held in honour of the Virgen de la Candelaria or Virgen del Socavon (Virgin of the Mineshaft), with the most important events taking place at the Sanctuaria del Socavon (Church of the Mineshaft).

The Oruro Carnival is a colourful and vibrant spectacle, famous for its extravagant costumes, folk dances, and lively music. It attracts crowds of up to 400,000 people annually and is considered Bolivia's most sought-after tourist attraction. The main parade features a procession of over 20,000 dancers, 150 groups, and 10,000 musicians, stretching over a four-kilometre route.

The Carnival of Oruro is a true symbol of Bolivian national culture and has been declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, recognised as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It showcases the multiculturalism of Bolivia and the rich cultural history of Oruro, making it a unique and memorable experience for all who attend.

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