Carnival Magic In Bolivia: The Festive Week Of Oro

The Oruro Carnival is a world-renowned festival held annually in the mining town of Oruro, Bolivia. It is one of the oldest and most unique carnivals in the world, with a history spanning over 200 years. The carnival combines Catholic and pre-Columbian customs, reflecting the religious syncretism and diverse cultural history of Oruro. The festival features folk dances, extravagant costumes, crafts, music, and continuous partying for up to 20 hours. With its intricate blend of dance, music, and costume, the Oruro Carnival attracts more than a million visitors each year and has been declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site.

The Oruro Carnival's history and origins

The Oruro Carnival is a religious and cultural festival held annually in Oruro, Bolivia. The carnival, which is one of UNESCO's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, has been celebrated since the 18th century and attracts over 400,000 visitors.

The origins of the carnival date back to before the arrival of Spanish settlers. The town, then known as Uru Uru in the indigenous Aymara language, was a religious destination for the Andean natives, who celebrated festivals in honour of their gods. The inhabitants worshipped the Pachamama (Madre Tierra) and their ancient god Tio. The Uru people also celebrated Ito, the religious festival from which the carnival is thought to have originated.

In 1606, the Spanish founded Oruro, using the land, which was already being mined by the indigenous population, as a base for obtaining the rich minerals in the surrounding hills. The Spanish priests tried to ban the Uru Uru rituals and traditions, but the Indians continued to observe their traditions under the guise of Catholic rituals.

By the mid-18th century, Andean rituals had morphed into Catholic observances, giving birth to the religious celebration known today as the Oruro Carnival. The carnival also has its origin in an ancient belief that a virgin once helped a wounded man to return home near the silver mines of Oruro. Since then, the town has become a symbol of protection for Bolivian miners.

The Oruro Carnival is a mixture of Catholic and pre-Columbian customs, reflecting a religious syncretism. The Christian icons of the Catholic Virgin and the Devil are mixed with the pagan indigenous cults of the Pachamama and Tio. The carnival begins with a ceremony dedicated to the Virgin of Socavon, during which groups play traditional Bolivian music to greet her. The 'Tio de la Mina', a malevolent character considered the uncle of the mountains, is the most famous character of the carnival. During the festivities, he turns into the Devil.

The Carnival's famous icons, including El Tio and Pachamama

The Oruro Carnival in Bolivia is a famous festival that attracts more than 400,000 people annually. The Carnival is a blend of Catholic and pre-Columbian customs, reflecting the religious syncretism of the region. The festival features folk dances, extravagant costumes, crafts, and music. The main parade features 20,000 dancers, 150 groups, and 10,000 musicians and stretches over 4 kilometres.

The Carnival's famous icons include El Tio and Pachamama, who represent the fusion of Catholic and indigenous beliefs. El Tio, also known as "Tio de la Mina" or "El Tio Pachamama", is a malevolent character and the most recognised icon of the Carnival. He is believed to be the "Lord of the Underworld" or the "Uncle/God of the Mountains" who rules over the mines, offering both protection and destruction. Indigenous miners believe that El Tio is the owner of the mine's minerals and the overseer of their safety. To appease him, miners bring offerings such as cigarettes, coca leaves, and alcohol to his statues and perform dances during the Carnival. El Tio transforms into the Devil for the Carnival, represented by the devil-like spirits in the mines of Cerro Rico, Potosí.

On the other hand, Pachamama is the Earth Mother in indigenous beliefs. She is a benevolent goddess who is associated with the Virgin de la Candelaria or Virgen del Socavon (Virgin of the Mineshaft) in Catholic teachings. Pachamama is honoured during the Carnival through agricultural offerings and rituals, such as the Anata Andina celebration where locals give thanks to her for the abundance of agricultural production.

The interplay between El Tio and Pachamama, along with other icons like Archangel San Miguel and the Devil, creates a complex narrative within the Oruro Carnival. The Carnival becomes a stage for the battle between good and evil, with El Tio's defeat at the hands of Archangel Michael being a significant moment in the festivities.

The Oruro Carnival, with its iconic characters and unique blend of cultural and religious influences, has become a symbol of Bolivian culture and was declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in 2001.

The Diablada dance

The Diablada, or the "Dance of the Devils", is a famous dance that originated in Oruro, Bolivia, and has been performed since colonial times. It is a material representation of a deep religious inspiration, pitting the Archangel Saint Michael against the servants of the devil. The choreography of the dance represents the struggle between good and evil and the defeat of the seven deadly sins.

The dance is believed to have originated as the Llama Llama in the ancient settlement of Oruro, which was a major centre of the Uru civilization. The dance includes references to animals that appear in Uru mythology, such as ants, lizards, toads, and snakes. The Diablada is thought to have evolved from the Llama Llama dance in honour of the Uru god Tiw, and the Aymaran ritual to the demon Anchanchu, both originating in pre-Columbian Bolivia.

The Indigenous Uru people have observed the Diablada festival since pre-Columbian times, before the Spanish Empire outlawed local customs in the 17th century. Rather than disappear, the festival adapted, incorporating Christian iconography and religious dimensions, becoming a model of "syncretism" between cultures. The Diablada is now performed in all the artistic and folk expressions of Bolivia and is particularly prominent during the Oruro Carnival.

The dance features performers wearing elaborate, horned, technicolour masks and costumes representing the devil and other characters from pre-Columbian theology and mythology, combined with Spanish and Christian elements added during the colonial era. The female devils of the Diablada dance are called the China Supay, who once represented the cardinal sin of lust but now simply accompany Lucifer. The dance begins with a krewe featuring Lucifer and Satan, followed by the seven deadly sins, and then a troop of devils, all led by Saint Michael. During the dance, angels and demons move continuously, until Saint Michael appears and defeats the Devil.

The Diablada is a true symbol of Bolivian national culture and has influenced parades all over the world.

The Carnival's water fights

The Carnival of Oruro, Bolivia, is a religious and cultural festival that has been celebrated since the 18th century. It is a unique and ancient festival, famous for its water fights, folk dances, extravagant costumes, beautiful crafts, lively music, and 20 hours of continuous partying.

The Oruro Carnival is a true symbol of Bolivian culture and national pride. It is a complex interlacing of Catholic ideals and ancient pagan expression, reflecting the diverse aspects of Oruro's rich cultural history. The festival tells the story of the Spanish conquest of the native Aymara and Quechua people of Bolivia and celebrates the ongoing struggle between good and evil.

The Carnival of Oruro is held annually on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday, with the next edition taking place from 7 to 26 February. The festival attracts over 400,000 visitors and features more than 30,000 dancers and 10,000 musicians in 150 bands, divided into about 50 groups. The main parade covers a four-kilometer route and lasts up to 20 hours.

The Diablada, or the Dance of the Devils, is the most famous dance of the Oruro Carnival and has existed since colonial times. It is a ritual representing the victory of good over evil and features demonic costumes that are extravagant, frightening, and heavy, including horned masks, velvet capes, shimmering breastplates, and serpent-decorated boots.

The Monday after Ash Wednesday marks the culmination of the festivities with Dia del Agua (Day of Water). This playful day involves massive water bomb fights, with gringos as the primary target! Water pistols and spray foam are also used, so participants can expect to get soaked. The water fights are a fun and unique part of the Oruro Carnival, adding to the excitement and energy of this renowned festival.

The Carnival's music and dances

The Oruro Carnival in Bolivia is a unique and famous festival that attracts more than a million people each year. The Carnival is a mixture of Catholic and pre-Columbian customs, reflecting the religious syncretism of the region. The music and dances performed during the Carnival are a key part of this blend of cultures and beliefs.

The Carnival features a main parade that lasts up to 20 hours, covers 4 kilometres, and includes 10,000 musicians in 150 bands. The parade features two main works: the first depicts the Spanish conquest, and the second portrays the battle between Archangel San Miguel and Evil, represented by Lucifer and his wife. In this battle, good ultimately triumphs over evil, with San Miguel resisting the seduction dances of Lucifer and his wife. The seven deadly sins are also represented in the parade, and they are defeated by angels.

One of the most famous dances of the Oruro Carnival is the "Diablada" or "Dance of the Devils", which has been performed since colonial times. This dance represents the victory of good over evil and is considered a ritual by the indigenous miners, who believe that "El Tio", the god of the underworld, could be jealous of the attention given to the Virgin, the patron of the Carnival. The Diablada is known for its extravagant and frightening costumes, which include horned masks, velvet capes, and shimmering breastplates.

Other traditional Bolivian dances performed during the Oruro Carnival include "La Morenada" and "Los Tinkus". These dances are part of the Andean culture and history of the region. The Tinkus dance, for example, is related to the ancient Uru tale of Huari and the struggle of Archangel San Miguel against evil. The Carnival also features music and dances from other regions of Bolivia, such as the Afro-Bolivian saya and the Euro-Bolivian caporales.

The music and dances of the Oruro Carnival are a vibrant and essential part of the festivities, blending Catholic and indigenous beliefs, honouring ancient traditions, and celebrating the rich cultural identity of Bolivia.

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