This past sunday was a very special day in my city.
Every August in Quillacollo, Cochabamba (Bolivia), there is this big celebration of the Virgin of Urkupiña and it fills the town with devotion, music, fun and color that changes the vibe of the whole country into party mood full of life that irradiates hope, happiness and tons of faith.
It's a lovely time to spend with friends and family, that's why this tradition is so special, because it connects us with our roots and our loved ones and also with those who came before us, our ancestors.
While walking through the Alasitas fair I captured this family taking a picture with a little llama, this is a very traditional photo set you often see in all fairs across Bolivia.
Scenes like this are full of charm and represent the cultural soul of our people.
In Bolivia there is this beautiful mix of cultures, because in the past before the colonization we had our mystical traditions and that stayed with us but transformed, it hasn't disappeared but it has transformed into something so different but also so real and special that is our culture.
One of those things that stayed is the "Amautas", they are people who are in contact with spirits and the higher realms, they are like priests but from the ancient andean culture before the arrival of the spanish evangelization.
One of those aspects is the tin fortune tellers, they see your future.
The Alasitas Miniatures
What makes the celebration of Alasitas in Urkupiña festivity even more unique is that everything here is sold in miniature, for example tiny houses, little cars, passports, diplomas, bags of money, and all sort of things you can possibly imagine. Each one of these objects represents a dream, and the pilgrims buy them believing that the Virgin of Urkupiña will bless their wishes and help them with faith become reality. That's why people from all over the globe come here, because this is the most miraculous Virgin something similar to Lourdes in France.
This is the blessing of the miniatures with holy water at the Sirenes Square in the city.
GOING TO THE COTA HILL
So the tradition is that you have to walk into the top of the hill called Cota where the Virgin appeared to pray with a lot of devotion.
From the center of Quillacollo to the top of the hill there a few minutes, people usually walk, and in the road you can see all sorts of games, food stands and shops, so it's very fun, and so random at the same time.
This is the view from the top of the hill:
At the top of the mountain there is a chapel where the Virgin appeared in the XVII century.
Here you can see the people pray with a lot of faith to make their hopes and dreams come true.
At the top of the hill where the apparition took place you can see the "Amautas" the high priests or "chamans" of the andean culture who pray for you, and make a traditional andean blessing called "Ch'alla".
At the top of the mountain there is a mystical view of a lake, this is why I believe in ancient times long before the apparition this place was considered sacred.
Well...that was the amazing Alasitas, visiting Urkupiña is not only about witnessing a religious festivity, but also about experiencing the living heart of Bolivian culture. Between the music, the devotion, the stories, the miniatures, the culture and the climb to Cota Hill, you realize how much faith and tradition still shape everyday life here. Thanks for joining me in this adventure and until next time!