Carnaval
Attractions & Activities In Oruro
Oruro’s annual carnival, one of the largest on the continent, lures in visitors from all over the country and beyond. With 10,000 or so musicians descending to play and countless troupes of masked and costumed dancers stomping down the streets, it is a real spectacle, and even rivals the hubbub of Rio de Janeiro’s famed carnival festivities.
What makes it stand apart from Rio, however, is the uniquely Bolivian nature of the festivities, which have earned it a place on UNESCO’s list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The carnival takes place every March on the Saturday preceding Ash Wednesday and lasts for the whole weekend. During the course of events, 18 different Bolivian folk dances are performed by some 28,000 or so indigenous dancers – each representing a native folk story. The most famous of the all is the Diablada or Lllama Lllama dance, which tells a story of good (St. Michael) versus evil (the Devil), blending aspects of indigenous and Catholic beliefs.
The Carnival of Oruro is a highlight of the Bolivian calendar and, as such, the town tends to get busy when it’s on. In fact, more than 400,000 visitors usually arrive in Oruro especially for the event. Should you feel like joining in with the boisterous and fun-filled festivities, get in touch. Kuoda can book your private tour of Bolivia to coincide with the annual celebrations.
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