Indigenous ceremony for Bolivia’s first Indian leader

Bolivia’s new president – the country’s first indigenous leader – has taken part in a ceremony ahead of his official inauguration on Sunday. Evo Morales, an Aymara Indian, was blessed by an Aymara priest and thanked Pachamama – Mother Earth – for helping him win the election in December.

Thousands of supporters crowded the pre-Inca ruins of Tiwanaku near Lake Titicaca to catch a glimpse of their new president. The election of Morales, who comes from a poor background and entered politics as the leader of the coca farmers – confirms a shift to the left across Latin America. He campaigned hard as a man of the people and analysts predict he faces a tough job juggling the demands of radical left-wing activists and those of richer provinces which are demanding more autonomy. Dozens of heads of state are expected to attend his inauguration in the capital La Paz on Sunday.

Copyright © 2012 euronews