Bolivians observe 'natititas' mass with skulls of deceased family members
238 views · Published 13 November 2018 · 2:27 · Indexed 11 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(8 Nov 2018) A unique family gathering Thursday in Bolivia is part of that country's ancient traditions that encourages the living to bring the skull of a long dead family relative to the annual "natitas" mass. Juliana Zapana, an indigenous Aymara woman, danced holding a human skull that she called Carlos outside a cemetery chapel in Bolivia's capital. The cheerful music seemed contagious and prompted her daughter to dance with another skull that she called Luis. Hundreds of Bolivians like Zapata and her family bring human skulls, adorned with flowers and coca leaves to a cemetery in La Paz, asking for money, health and other favors as part of an annual festival. Devotees showed up Thursday with the skulls, known as "natitas," for a short Mass. The ritual is celebrated a week after the Day of the Dead and includes the lighting of candles, music and dance. "We have faith in him," said Luisa Reyes holding her skull. "We only ask him for health and to watch over my children in their work and their studies." The Roman Catholic Church considers the skull festival to be pagan, but it doesn't ban people from taking part. The festival is a mix of Andean ancestral worship and Catholic beliefs. Experts say it was common in pre-Columbian times to keep skulls as trophies and display them to symbolize death and rebirth. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/da8c3f94bd13b43c1010873975868b3d
