- Title: Bolivians attend miniatures fair in indigenous tradition
- Date: 24th January 2017
- Summary: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (JANUARY 24, 2017) (REUTERS) CLOSE-UP OF FIGURE OF EKEKO, THE GOD OF ABUNDANCE, HOLDING LOTS OF DOLLAR BILLS AND SMOKING A CIGARETTE CLOSE-UP OF MANY PEOPLE SHOWING THE MINIATURE POSSESSIONS THEY BOUGHT, INCLUDING HOUSES, MONEY AND CARS CLOSE-UP OF PLASTIC BUCKETS OF WATER FOR PRIESTS TO USE IN BLESSINGS GENERAL VIEW OF CROWDS OF PEOPLE BEING BLESSED BY PRIESTS VARIOUS OF PRIESTS BLESSING PEOPLE WITH WATER A WOMAN COMPLETELY WET WITH HOLY WATER VARIOUS OF MINIATURES BEING BLESSED CLOSE-UP OF A WOMAN COUNTING MINIATURE DOLLARS PRIESTS BLESSING PEOPLE WITH WATER (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FESTIVAL-GOER, GLADIS PRADO, SAYING: "I have always received this blessing from the Father. May he bless me with a house, money, work and good health." VARIOUS OF SPIRITUAL LEADER CARRYING OUT A RITUAL WITH MINIATURES A MODEL PIECE OF LAND BEING BUILT ON WITH A WATER TANK CLOSE-UP OF A GIANT DOLLAR BILL VARIOUS OF PEOPLE MAKING OFFERINGS OF MODELS OF HEAVY CARGO VEHICLES GENERAL VIEW OF WOMAN SELLING A TOAD AS A SYMBOL OF WEALTH CLOSE-UP OF TOAD CLOSE-UP OF A LUCKY CHARM OF A ROOSTER WHICH SYMBOLISES FINDING A PARTNER GENERAL OF PEOPLE BUYING MINIATURE VEHICLES VARIOUS OF MINIATURE BUILDINGS WITH WATER TANKS GENERAL VIEW OF WOMAN SELLING MINIATURE HOUSES (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SALESWOMAN, MARIA APAZA, SAYING: "This is the little fortune house made of wood and glass. Now this house has a little water tank because nowadays in Bolivia we are suffering water shortages, this is to ask the God of Abundance and the Virgin that we may have water in these tanks in our houses." SALESPERSON OFFERING MINIATURE DOLLAR BILLS TO FESTIVAL-GOERS
- Embargoed: 7th February 2017 19:48
- Keywords: Bolivia indigenous tradition miniatures Festival of Alasita
- Location: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
- City: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
- Country: Bolivia
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA00160FYF5V
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Bolivians celebrated the traditional Aymara Festival of Abundance on Tuesday (January 24) by buying miniature representations of their dreams and aspirations, including the usual symbols of money, houses and lovers, and a new addition to the festival - water tanks.
The Festival of Alasitas - which translated as the "Buy-me Festival" - is a yearly artisans fair which primarily deals in miniatures. The artisans are then blessed under the auspices of the Aymara god of abundance, Ekeko.
Many Aymara believe that if Ekeko, who can be either male or female, is given offerings of alcohol and cigarettes, the deity will help make their desires-represented by the miniatures-a reality.
"I have always received this blessing from the Father. May he bless me with a house, money, work and good health," said Gladis Prado a Bolivian in attendance at the fair.
Bolivian women dug out the traditional rooster lucky charm in hope it might bring them a husband, whilst single men rooted around for a small doll dressed in the traditional garb of a "Chola" indigenous woman.
In addition, a new charm was on display at the fair this year, in the shape of little tiny water tanks.
Bolivia has been suffering its worst drought in 25 years, so as Bolivians were blessed with holy water at the fair, they asked Ekeko to bring water supplies to their homes.
"This is the little fortune house made of wood and glass. Now this house has a little water tank because nowadays in Bolivia we are suffering water shortages, this is to ask the God of Abundance and the Virgin that we may have water in these tanks in our houses," said saleswoman, Maria Apaza.
Ekeko is typically portrayed as obese and with a large smile, and dressed in the traditional garb of the Bolivian highlands. He is also often shown carrying a pack full of food and other necessities.
The miniatures are blessed by a Yatiri, a traditional healer or shaman, so that Ekeko may bless the miniatures and the people that purchased them. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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