Bolivians sacrifice llamas in local mining tradition

Bolivians sacrifice llamas in local mining tradition

Miners in the Bolivian city of Oruro smeared their faces with the blood of sacrificed llamas and ate from the heart of the animals as they completed their annual carnival ritual.

Miners in the Bolivian city of Oruro smeared their faces with the blood of sacrificed llamas and ate from the heart of the animals as they completed their annual carnival ritual.

The sacrifice is completed along with an offering to Mother Earth and “Tio”, the devil, who is the mythical owner of the mines to the indigenous Aymara. The act symbolises the miners’ gratitude for staying alive and also expresses their hope for a safe coming year.