Since South American indigenous cultures have the winter solstice as the conception of the beginning of a new cycle of life, Aymara, Quechua (Inca), Likan Antai, Rapa Nui and Mapuche cultures celebrate the beginning of a new year with spiritual ceremonies.
It is the biggest annual cultural event in Bolivia, has been declared Oral and Intangible Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO. It is an extraordinary expression of the religious and cultural syncretism with thousands of dancers and musicians who show their devotion to the Socabon Virgin.
Held in the small town tours of Tarabuco, near Sucre, Pujllay is a rural festival featuring music, dance, costumes, food, has remained very authentic.
It is the liveliest and most massive event in La Paz where music and dance are similar to those of the Oruro Carnival. This huge event with tens of thousands of people, takes over the city center of La Paz
The Ekeko is represented nowadays as a smiling human figure loaded with various household produce, food and a cigarette dangling from his lower lip; believers say that this statue brings good luck, only if received as a gift.