The Shaman Prays with a Trinity of Coca Leaves!

A trinity of Coca leaves is called a Kintu. For the Shaman (yatiri) a Kintu is a bridge, an offering, a means of lifting prayers up into the wind to be received by Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) then made reality.

Shaman healing, ceremony, the sacred leaf and more Andean culture available in the forthcoming "SnowBlind in the Andes - Sacred Leaf to Cocaine Tourism"

For all of Mick Huerta's fabulous books visit http://www.amazon.com/Mick-Huerta/e/B00MDG6UXK

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Copyright © Mick Huerta 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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Alacitas! Embattled Festival of Abundance!

Some twist cultural events into a chance to save souls whether anyone would like that or not. And today in the battle for converts, some came armed. This is the most Andean fiesta of the year, "Alasitas," the Inca Festival of Plenty! And sadly for a few hours, it became a clash between ancient Andean tradition and extremist christian soldiers equipped with bullhorn, pamphlets and obvious lack of respect for all else but their own way of thought. Frankly, I never thought fanaticism was christian, moslem or jewish; just discourteous and intolerant.

Happy to report families went on to enjoy the sunny day and festival atmosphere in spite of theological attack...

 


Copyright © Mick Huerta 2014. All Rights Reserved. 
mickhuerta@gmail.com 
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Alasitas: Festival of Abundance - La Paz, Bolivia 2013

Beseeching the Aymara God "Ekeko" to bestow blessings and abundance, Aymara Shamans attend the petitions of participants at the Festival of Alasitas in Plaza San Francisco. 

January 24th begins the multiple week celebration and first day the city was out in full force to enjoy perfect sunshine amidst the rainy season. One woman commented, "This year, the sun is the first blessing we've received from Ekeko!" All smiles, she and her family felt it was a sign of many good things to come.

Just beyond, a young girl was having stacks of money blessed by a Yatiri (shaman). I snapped a few frames and asked, "Why do you need so much money, chica?" She smiled, "I want to buy gifts for my mother... and for my family!" Her smile grew even larger!

All the personal petitions, wishes and desires of the crowd filled the plaza and overflowed into the surrounding streets. And in the clamor, I thought this ready proof that the Festival of Alasitas is very much alive for it resides in the hearts of the young and the old. Part deep Andean belief, part fiesta and altogether a swirl of color, light and movement; Alasitas is sure to be with us for untold generations as an expression of Andean hope and aspiration.

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2013. All Rights Reserved.
mickhuerta@gmail.com
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Fiesta de Alasitas - La Paz, Bolivia

Of the many festivals in the Andes, one is venerated as the celebration of hope and abundance. This is the ancient Fiesta of Alacitas. Though first officially sanctioned in 1781, the roots are to be found deep in the native peoples of Lake Titicaca. At present the highest concentration of enthusiasts is to be found in the city of La Paz, Bolivia. In busy days of preparation participants scurry to purchase miniature objects then implore the Aymara deity “Ekeko” through the solicitations of black-robed priests & yatiris (shamans) to convert the miniatures into the real thing!

On the first day (Jan. 24th) of this multiple week festival, many attend a Morning Mass with their miniatures. The objects are varied and express the needs of the celebrants. They range from work tools to a university degree a worried student is toiling to achieve, a little store whose income would stabilize a family, a stove for ease of cooking or most anything worth praying for. Upon leaving, there is a line of yatiris with smoking braziers on the church steps who through muttered ceremony strengthen the requests chanted inside.

Participants move then to fairgrounds where yet more Yatiris and other spell-casters offer their services along with food vendors, sellers of bric-a-brac and balloons, hawkers of all sorts. Now the deeply felt becomes cause for fiesta. Families stroll up the fairway with babies and grandparents in tow; teenagers check out one another while playing Foosball meantime youngsters play and laugh chewing on their cobs of corn. In the crowd I asked a young boy carrying a statue what his Ekeko was for. He responded with a twinkle, "For good luck and for a good future." His smile was radiant and his eyes shiny and clear. And I couldn’t help but think his future would surely be bright.

I don't know a more pronounced melding of the native with the Christian. This is syncretism (fusion of differing systems of belief) lived and demonstrated in open, full and modern terms. One faith is old, the other even more ancient. Both bolster a people as they face the unknown and uncertain. There can be no gesture more human than this. In all the smoke the shiny little boy asked me, “What do you hope for?” Well, my hopes are simple. I wish that every participant receives what they desire and that each may be made whole. I beseech any and all gods who might be listening. And I shall return to ask for the very same...

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2011. Text & Fotos by Mick Huerta. All Rights Reserved.
mickhuerta@gmail.com
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