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Photography from Bolivia, Chile, Peru and elsewhere in South America.

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Qoyllur Riti

The festival of Qoyllur Riti (there are several spelling variations) takes place over the weekend before Corpus Cristi high in the Andes mountains near Cusco. The name means "Snow Star" in Quechua, referring to the Pleiades constellation, or Seven Sisters. This star cluster reappears in southern hemisphere skies around the time of the festival (after an absence of a couple of months), an event that signalled the start of the harvest in Inca times. The Catholic origins of the festival date to 1780 when according to legend (there are various versions) a young native herder called Mariano Mayta befriended a mestizo boy called Manuel on the mountain Qullqipunku. Thanks to Manuel, Mariano's herd prospered, so his father sent him to buy clothes for the two boys in Cusco. Mariano took a sample of Manuel's clothes but couldn't find the same cloth in Cusco, it turned out it was only worn by the city's archbishop. Surprised, the archbishop of Cusco sent a commission to find Manuel and investigate but when they tried to grab Manuel, he became a bush with an image of Christ hanging from it. Thinking they had harmed his friend, Mariano died on the spot and was buried under a nearby rock. The rock attracted many indigenous worshippers, an image of Christ that was painted on it became known as the Lord of Qoyllur Riti. The Sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllur Riti, which is situated at an altitude of around 4800m /15,750ft in the valley below the Sinak'ara mountain, was later built over the rock.

During the festival (which lasts for several days) it is estimated more than 100,000 people visit the Sanctuary to pay their respects to the Lord of Qoyllur Riti. Spiritual leaders of the Quechua brotherhoods of the Quispicanchis region also make a pilgrimage to the glaciers of the Sinak'ara mountain (which are believed to be sacred) to perform ancient rituals in honour of the mountain spritis or apus. In the past people also used to climb to the glacier to collect blocks of ice, which were believed to have medicial properties. This practice has been restricted in recent years as more and more people attend the festival, the glacier has also receded dramatically due to climate change like many others in the Andes.

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Masked Kapac Qolla dancers on a foggy morning in the mountains during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Masked Kapac Qolla dancers on a foggy morning in the mountains during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Masked Kapac Qolla dancers on a foggy morning in the mountains during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukuku / Pablito / Pablucha dancers on hillside during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Quechua woman collecting melted wax from candles left by devotees during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Quechua woman collecting melted wax from candles left by devotees during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Portrait of a Celador (one of the festival organisers), Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Doll in form of masked Ukuku / Pablito / Pablucha dancer with a cigarette, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Portrait of contradanza dancer at Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Masked Ukuku / Pablito / Pablucha dancer in front of Sanctuary during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Masked Kapac Qolla dancer in front of Sanctuary during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Masked Kapac Qolla dancer in front of Sanctuary during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Los Alzados dancers during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Los Alzados dancers during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Masked Kapac Qolla dancers during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Contradanza dancers performing in front of Sanctuary during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Contradanza dancers performing in front of Sanctuary during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Female contradanza dancer performing in front of Sanctuary during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukuku / Pablito / Pablucha dancers whipping each other in camp during Qoyllur Riti festival , Peru
Young female dancers whipping each other in camp during Qoyllur Riti festival , Peru
Quechua ladies cooking in campsite during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Women setting up cooking area in campsite during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Spiritual leaders descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
People praying in front of banners in campsite before dawn, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Male dancers performing in front of Sanctuary at night, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Male dancer performing in front of Sanctuary at night, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Detail of stones in the shape of plots of land after a challa / blessing ceremony, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
During the festival people often go to a part of the mountainside and arrange stones in the form of plots of land and small houses, after which they perform a blessing ceremony called ch'alla. They believe that if they perform this ceremony 3 years running they will be able to afford a new house and land. It is an old tradition in rural areas similar to the Alasitas / miniatures festival. Note the propiedad privada / private property signs among the stones.
Family stand by small symbolic stone house and plot of land after challa (blessing ceremony), Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Family stand by small symbolic stone house and plot of land after challa (blessing ceremony), Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Believers praying at cross on the mountainside, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
A young man arranges stones in the form of a house and plot of land before a challa / blessing ceremony, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
A young man arranges stones in the form of a house and plot of land before a challa / blessing ceremony, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Spiritual leaders praying at cross before making pilgrimage up mountainside to glaciers, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Spiritual leaders praying at cross before making pilgrimage up mountainside to glaciers, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Spiritual leaders praying at cross before making pilgrimage up mountainside to glaciers, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Pilgrims on hillside around Sanctuary in early morning during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Quechua lady praying at the last cross on the pilgrimage trail after sunset, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Man carrying banner ahead of dance group above Sanctuary, Qoyllur Riti festival
Man carrying banner ahead of dance group above Sanctuary, Qoyllur Riti festival
Pilgrims walking home after Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Pilgrims descending to village of Mawayani after Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Pilgrims descending to village of Mawayani after Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Pilgrims descending to village of Mawayani after Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Pilgrims descending to village of Mawayani after Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Pilgrims descending to village of Mawayani after Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Pilgrims descending to village of Mawayani after Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Pilgrims descending to village of Mawayani after Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Pilgrims descending to village of Mawayani after Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Dancers in camp during final mass of Qoyllur Riti festival , Peru
Dancers in camp during final mass of Qoyllur Riti festival , Peru
Dancers in camp during final mass of Qoyllur Riti festival , Peru
Dancers in camp during final mass of Qoyllur Riti festival , Peru
Dancers in camp during final mass of Qoyllur Riti festival , Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Dance groups parading with banners during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Dance groups parading with banners during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Ukukus (spiritual leaders representing mythical beings)  descending from glaciers after performing overnight rituals to mountain spirits during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Young indigenous musicians on mountainside during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru .
Young indigenous musicians on mountainside during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru .
Young indigenous musicians on mountainside during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru .
Spiritual leaders making pilgrimage up mountainside to glaciers during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Spiritual leaders making pilgrimage up mountainside to glaciers during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Spiritual leaders making pilgrimage up mountainside to glaciers during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Kapac Qolla dancers with bead embroidered square hats (called an aqarapi) during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Kapac Qolla dancers with bead embroidered square hats (called an aqarapi) during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Dancers on hillside during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Dancers on hillside during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Quechua ladies cooking breakfast in campsite during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Quechua ladies cooking breakfast in campsite during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Kapac Qolla / Pablitos dancers on hillside above Sanctuary in morning mist during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Kapac Qolla / Pablitos dancers on hillside above Sanctuary in morning mist during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Kapac Qolla / Pablitos dancers on hillside above Sanctuary in morning mist during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Dance groups and banners on hillside during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Dance groups and banners on hillside during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Boy lighting candle in early morning mist in campsite during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Contradanza dance group praying in morning mist in campsite during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Contradanza dance group praying in morning mist in campsite during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Devotees lighting candles outside Sanctuary, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Devotees lighting candles outside Sanctuary during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Dance group relaxing during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Candles and Señor de Qoyllur Riti picture outside Sanctuary, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Devotee with candles and Señor de Qoyllur Riti picture outside Sanctuary, Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Devotee with embroidered banner during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Masked Kapac Qolla / Pablitos dancers during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
Masked Doctores or Sijlla Wayra dancers during Qoyllur Riti festival, Peru
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