Holy Week, Thursday March 20 to Sunday March 23, Copacabana
Every year thousands of pilgrims walk 140 kilometers from La Paz to the Sanctuary of Copacabana in devotion to the “Dark Virgin”, also known as the Virgin of the Candelaria (or of Copacabana).
This custom has gained popularity with the passing of time. Not only do the adults take part in this act of faith, but also young people and children walk. They look forward to Holy Week in order to fill the town with believers.
The believers go to Copacabana to pray to the Virgin to bless their lives and they take part in rites that are a mix of Catholic practices and veneration of the Andean deities Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Inti (the Sun).
• Aymara New Year
The Aymara year begins on the 21 of June and coincides with the winter solstice or “the new return of the approach” of the sun to the earth and also coincides with the beginning of a new agricultural cycle (new time of sowing).
Each year the Andean people celebrate the return of the sun or Wilkakuti within the ruins of Tiwanaku. One day before the 21st the rituals begin and the indigenous authorities (mallkus and mama t’allas) give an offering on the sacred mountain of Kimsa.
In Copacabana the Ayamara New Year is celebrated at the Inca’s Hanging Place while awaiting the first rays of the sun at sunrise on the 21st of June.
• Festival of Colquepata or Festival of the Cross
May 3, Copacabana
This is a very significant date for the people of Copacabana in memory of the encounter of Saint Elena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, with the Cross of Jesus Christ in the 10th century. The main part of the celebration is held in the Chapel of Colquepata at the base of the Calvary.
After the procession the whole area is taken over by the colorful typical dancers of the Morenada (the dance of the dark ones) where the dancers show off their very best regalia for the occasion.
• Festival of the Virgin of the Candelaria
February 2, Copacabana
This festival commemorates the enthroning of the image of the Virgin of Copacabana in 1583.
After the procession, groups of folkloric dancers such as the morenada (the dark dancers), waca waca (cows cows), and llamerada (llama herders) demonstrate their dances before the Basilica.
The main plaza becomes a fair of arts and crafts, weavings, jewelry and religious images. A few blocks lower down, the beach is full of cars all decorated with bouquets of flowers, streamers and confetti waiting for the blessings of the young priest who patiently poses for the family portraits
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