Aymara couple decorating their truck outside the cathedral before a blessing ceremony, Copacabana, Bolivia
RMID:Image ID:BC1WAT
Image details
Contributor:
James Brunker / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
BC1WATFile size:
60.2 MB (2.1 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
5616 x 3744 px | 47.5 x 31.7 cm | 18.7 x 12.5 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
21 June 2009Location:
Copacabana, La Paz Department, BoliviaMore information:
It is a tradition in Bolivia that whenever you buy a new vehicle you take it to Copacabana (an important pilgrimage site) to be blessed to bring it (and teh driver) good luck. Vehicles are brightly decorated with flowers and blessed by priests with holy water and also by native shamans. These sort of ceremonies are very important in Bolivia and are called the ch'alla (and often appear to replace learning to driver properly and the MOT service!!). Many people also come to Copacabana from especially Peru and other neighbouring countries for the same reason.