Skulls, flowers, cigarettes and memories; Bolivians celebrate Day of Skulls in La Paz
Record ID:
1363468
Skulls, flowers, cigarettes and memories; Bolivians celebrate Day of Skulls in La Paz
- Title: Skulls, flowers, cigarettes and memories; Bolivians celebrate Day of Skulls in La Paz
- Date: 8th November 2018
- Summary: WOMEN GATHERED - ONE DRESSED IN TRADITIONAL CLOTHING KNOWN AS "POLLERA" - LIGHTING CIGARETTE SKULL SEEN WITH CIGARETTES IN MOUTH OLD WOMAN LIGHTING A CIGARETTE DECORATED SKULL WITH CIGARETTES IN MOUTH (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DEVOTEE, JUSTINA ALEJO DE MENDES WHO BROUGHT SKULL OF SON, JUAN CARLOS MENDES TO CEMETERY, SAYING: "He's my son (skull). He was 22 years-old and was killed and so I buried him because I had no economic means to ask for justice." SKULL SEEN WITH LIT CIGARETTES (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DEVOTEE, JUSTINA ALEJO DE MENDES WHO BROUGHT SKULL OF SON, JUAN CARLOS MENDES TO CEMETERY, SAYING: "I took it (skull) home. I unearthed it after 14 years. It was given to me by a builder from the cemetery, with his little cap, and he (builder) said: 'This was not a joke, you have to hold a vigil for it (skull) every Monday of the week. That's why I took him home (kept it - skull - as a natita) and he's already been with me for eight or nine years and his name is Juan Carlos Mendez Alejo." LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (NOVEMBER 7, 2018) (REUTERS) SKULL, REFEREED TO AS "NATITA," WEARING CAP THAT READS: "JUVENAL" WOMAN HOLDING "NATITA" SKULLS WITH CAPS PLACED ON SHELVE MAN ARRANGING SKULLS ON SHELVE SKULLS WEARING CAPS ON SHELVE SKULLS SEEN ON SHELVES VARIOUS OF PEOPLE HEARING MASS AND PRAYING WOMAN USING INCENSE HOLDER SKULLS SEEN BEHIND CLOUDS OF INCENSE VARIOUS OF INCENSE BEING BLOWN INTO SKULLS CRUCIFIX VARIOUS OF PRIEST GIVING MASS SKULLS IN CHURCH PRIEST SPRINKLING HOLY WATER ON SKULLS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRIEST, HERNAN AGUILAR, SAYING: "What we have done tonight is simply an act of celebration of the word of the Lord in honour of all these souls, who were human beings and participated in this life and we believe that at this moment they enjoy the mercy of God in heaven. And what we have done tonight is a tribute of gratitude, of respect of affection with the celebration of the word of the Lord and in honour of them." LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (NOVEMBER 8, 2018) (REUTERS) COUPLE WHO OWN 46 "NATITAS" STANDING OVER THEM / SKULLS
- Embargoed: 22nd November 2018 20:26
- Keywords: Bolivians skulls natitas cigarettes traditional indigenous ceremony for blessings
- Location: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
- City: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
- Country: Bolivia
- Reuters ID: LVA00395NCRB7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Bolivians honoured skulls, called "natitas," on Thursday (November 8) as part of an ancient tradition rooted in indigenous practices they believe brings good fortune and protection.
The natitas spend most of the year indoors, but on The Day of Skulls they are decorated and paraded to the cemetery a week after All Saints Day. The tradition is believed to have its roots in the Urus Chipaya custom of disinterring the corpses of loved ones at the one-year anniversary of their death.
This tradition, a fusion of Catholic and indigenous beliefs, is often practised by the some of the country's indigenous groups. Friends and family at La Paz's Municipal Cemetery adorn the skulls with hats and flowers. The participants give the skulls food and even cigarettes during the festivities.
The Roman Catholic Church does not endorse the practise, but when the cemetery's parish refused to open its doors to Day of the Skull believers 12 years ago, the participants threw stones at the church and broke all the windows. Now, parish priests are invited to the cemetery for a blessing ceremony.
Traditions and cultures of the Aymara, Quechua and other groups remain strong in Bolivia, where indigenous people are a majority in a country set in the heart of South America. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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