Skulls, flowers, cigarettes and memories; Bolivians celebrate Day of Skulls in La Paz

Record ID: 1363470

  • Title: Skulls, flowers, cigarettes and memories; Bolivians celebrate Day of Skulls in La Paz
  • Date: 8th November 2018
  • Summary: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (NOVEMBER 8, 2018) (REUTERS) GENERAL OF SKULL GRAFFITI AT CITY'S MAIN CEMETERY CRUCIFIX SEEN AGAINST BLUE SKY WOMAN CHANGING WATER FROM FLOWER VASE AT CEMETERY
  • 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: LVA00195NCRB7
  • 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
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2018. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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