Basics - The Rough Guide to Bolivia - page 50

Most national fiestas mark famous events in Bolivia's post-conquest history and the standard
festivals of the Catholic Church , but many of the latter coincide with far older indigenous
celebrations related to the sun, stars and agricultural cycle. Carnaval time (late Feb or early
March) is marked by fiestas and celebrations throughout the country (the most famous being
in Oruro), and involves copious eating and drinking, and indiscriminate water-fighting.
In addition to the major national and regional celebrations, almost every town and village
has its own annual local fiesta (some have several), usually to honour a patron saint. These
celebrations can be much more fun to visit than major events in larger towns and cities, and
often stretch out over a whole week, with religious processions, masked and costumed folk-
loricdances,traditional musicandeatinganddrinking.Inindigenouscommunities thesefies-
tas are often important ritual events associated with religious beliefs and agricultural cycles -
it'sbelieved thatifthey'renotcelebrated withdueextravagance, theCatholic saints ormoun-
tain gods (or both) may be displeased, and the fortunes of the community will suffer as a
result. Fiestas also play an important role in maintaining social cohesion, and are usually fin-
ancedunderasystemknownas prestes ,wherebywealthier members ofthecommunity spend
large amounts of money on food, drink and musicians, gaining enhanced status and respect
in return.
The occasional visitor will usually be warmly welcomed to local fiestas, but these are often
fairly private affairs, and crowds of camera-wielding tourists may provoke a hostile reaction
- sensitivity is the key.
CALENDAR OF MAJOR FIESTAS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1 New Year's Day (public holiday).
January 6 Reyes Magos. The arrival of the Three Kings is celebrated with processions in
various towns in the Beni.
January 24 Feria de Alasitas in La Paz. Large areas of the city are taken over by market
stalls selling miniature items used as offerings to Ekeko , the household god of abundance.
February 2 Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria in Copacabana.
February 10 Public holiday in Oruro department.
February/March Carnaval.CelebratedthroughoutthecountryintheweekbeforeLent.The
Oruro Carnaval is the most famous, but Santa Cruz and Tarija also stage massive fiestas.
March 12 Pujjlay.Thousands ofindigenous revellers descend onthe town ofTarabuco, near
Sucre, to celebrate a local victory over Spanish troops during the Independence War.
March/April Semana Santa (Easter) is celebrated with religious processions throughout
Bolivia. Good Friday is a public holiday.
April 15 Public holiday in Tarija department.