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A llama head is burnt and offered to Pachamama on the Hacienda Cotochullpa at the Carnaval de Oruro. During the fiesta many people sacrifice llamas and give offerings such as coca leaves and cigarettes to show their dedication to the Devil, a Virgin, Pachamama or Mother Earth. The Devil (or Uncle) is a mythical character that protects the miners of Oruro who work in dangerous conditions hundreds of metres below the ground. During the carnival, people dress in outrageous costumes and dance for days before arriving at the Church of Socavon, where they pay their respects to a virgin. Ironically, many of the dancers wear devil costumes.
Ivan Kashinsky/Panos Pictures /Felix Features 24 Feb 2009