Thirty thousand Aymara dancers lined the capital streets of La Paz, Bolivia, over the weekend to perform the Dance of the Black Slaves at the annual Lord of the Great Power Festival.
Bedecked with ornate jewellery, embroidered shawls and traditional hats, the dancers stepped to the music as their colourful dresses swayed around them.
Wearing shiny white costumes and masks, the men represent the African slaves who, according to folklore, worked in Bolivian silver mines before they escaped.
While the brightness of the men's costumes symbolizes the beads of sweat from hard work, the rhythm of the traditional matraca percussion instrument symbolizes the sound of slaves' chains.
In a fusion of Catholic and indigenous beliefs, the participants worship the Lord, or Christ, of the Great Power, who is removed from a local church to head the procession.
Dancer Ingrid Perez said each performer wears an array of expensive costumes for the event.
"In the Dance of the Black Slaves, we don't just use one costume for the reception, entrance and the pre-entrance," says Ingrid Perez. "We have three costumes made and we have jewellery made; in total, it adds up to about $5,000 for the women."
The costumes are funded by rich patrons who support the fraternities to which the dancers belong. Each fraternity chooses the costumes and dancers, generally selecting only the most prominent and wealthiest community members to perform the signature Dance of the Black Slaves.
The heavy gold jewellery is created locally. Some women even purchase gold ornaments to adorn their teeth for the festival.
The shoes are colourful enough to match the dresses and flexible enough to withstand hours of dancing. They are cut and sewn by hand.
Many of the performers wear the traditional bowler hat that has become an iconic symbol of Aymara dress. The hat was originally introduced to the indigenous group by the British in the 1800s, but designer Ivan Kusi Guarachi who owns this hat shop says it has remained popular, especially during traditional festivals.
"The hat really dresses one up during the festivals. When the festival season arrives in May or October, the women use these models of hats the entire time. That's why we make them in advance," he said.
The festival began in the early 20th century to venerate an image which was first made popular in 1663.
According to La Paz city officials, the annual festival generates $50 million.
3 News / Reuters