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Alasitas Fair

(January 24th – lasts 2 weeks)

The root of Alasitas goes back as far the Tiwanaku culture (3500 years ago). A small stone sculpture, found in the ruins and inside Lake Titicaca around Sun Island is believed to be forefather of the contemporary Ekeko (or god of abundance). 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. During the Alasitas Fair, its devotees collect miniatures of those items they would like to acquire during the course of the year. Once purchased, they should be blessed by a certified Yatiri (an Aymara priest) or a Catholic priest.

Duration: 1 day