The skulls can be handed down in families or taken from the magnificent abandoned tombs decorated in this strange festival.
Horrific decorative skull festival in Bolivia
For many people, the fear box is scary. But for many people in the capital La Paz, Bolivia, it is an object that has many spiritual meanings.
The "skull festival ", also known as " Natitas " is a combination of the Andean culture of pre-Spanish and Roman Catholic beliefs.
In the " skull festival", skulls are decorated with flowers, beautiful hats, eyeglasses and cigarettes. The skulls are often passed down through generations of families. However, there are also a few dug from unmarked anonymous tombs.
Skulls during the "Natitas" festival at the Cathedral of Cementario in La Paz, Boliva.Skull is decorated with beautiful flowers and hats.
Bolivians often keep skulls decorated inside their homes. The family will name the skull, place the skull in a glass case or on temporary altars.
Bolivians believe that each person has 7 souls in which the skull contains a soul. They believe that the soul inside the box can take care of the living, protect them from illnesses and accidents. Decorating the skull is a way to express gratitude to the soul that resides within.
Belief in these skulls is deeply ingrained in Bolivian people, especially the poor workers, the rural people. However, with the middle class, this tradition is not really popular.
The skulls are left in people's homes throughout the year.At the festival, family members took the skull to make a blessing ceremony and decorated it beautifully.
Thousands of people participated in this year's Natitas festival.They all carry their own skulls.
Many skulls have been handed down for generations in the family.There are also strange skulls taken from the abandoned tomb.
The skulls are stored as amulets capable of protecting owners.
The skull festival is an integral part of the Bolivian spiritual life.
Candles and many other decorations are placed in front of the skull.
A lot of people want to put the skull in a formal position in the city's big cemetery.
Glass and flowers are the most used decorations.
The skulls are contained in glass or glass.
Festivals often have many items to sing and dance around the skull.
