In Bolivia's yearly festival, locals carry decorated human skulls and make requests for favors.

On Friday, a large group of Bolivian devotees made their way to the municipal cemetery in La Paz. They were all carrying human skulls adorned with vibrant flowers, a tradition known as the Ñatitas festival. While this custom has deep roots in the Andean region, it is not officially recognized by the Catholic church.

According to Bolivian beliefs, these devotees turn to the Ñatitas for a variety of favors, such as good health, wealth, and love. One of the revered skulls is that of Mama Azapa, who stands out with her braided hair. For Elena Martínez, a self-identified Quechua priestess, Mama Azapa is a powerful protector.

During the festival, the devotees pay their respects by throwing coca leaves and flowers at the skulls, and even placing cigarettes in their mouths. Some of the skulls are adorned with sunglasses and hats, adding a unique touch to the already elaborate display. While some are kept in elegant golden urns, others are stored in shoe boxes decorated with colorful flowers.

The Ñatitas festival is a beautiful blend of Andean ancestral worship and Catholic beliefs. As explained by anthropologist Milton Eyzaguirre, the practice of keeping skulls as trophies and symbols of death and rebirth was common in pre-Columbian times. In Andean culture, death is closely tied to life, with the deceased being buried in the earth, which is seen as a place where new plants are born.

Eyzaguirre further elaborated, stating that the deceased are linked to the cycle of life and death, and this festival serves as a way to honor and remember them. He also mentioned that the significance of the festival goes beyond just the Ñatitas, as it is a celebration of life itself.

For those interested in staying updated on the latest news, sports, politics, and weather, the 9NEWS app is available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. With this app, you can receive notifications straight to your smartphone, ensuring that you are always in the loop.

[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]