Bolivian culture is rich with superstition, mystical beliefs and bizarre rituals, many of which date back to pre-Inca times. One of the strangest of these, “Fiesta de las Ñatitas” (Festival of Skulls), falls on 9th November, and closes the week-long All Saints celebrations. Skulls are brought to the chapel at La Paz’s General Cemetery to be given a Catholic blessing although it has only been in the past few years that the ritual has been recognised by the church and parish priests still will not associate the rite with mass. Previously, this Ayamaran custom was practiced in secret, although the ritual now attracts hundreds of faithful believers every year.
