Aymara New Year Harvest Thanksgiving Bolivia

Aymara people raise their hands to receive the energy of the rising sun at the start of the Aymara New Year, which takes place on the June 21st... more

by James Brunker

Title

Aymara New Year Harvest Thanksgiving Bolivia

Artist

James Brunker

Medium

Photograph

Description

Aymara people raise their hands to receive the energy of the rising sun at the start of the Aymara New Year, which takes place on the June 21st winter solstice. The date has long been an important one for the indigenous people of the Andes; it is the shortest day of the year in the southern hemisphere and rituals were performed during the night to encourage the return of the sun (in Aymara the festival is known as Willkakuti, literally "Return of the Sun"). The date also marked the end of one agricultural cycle and the start of preparations for a new planting season; note the man is holding maize and potatos (both staples in the Andean diet). This image was taken at Tiwanaku / Tiahuanaco, Bolivia's most important archaeological site and location of the largest and best known celebrations.

Photograph © James Brunker. Reproduction, transmission or use in any form (print, website, etc) without prior written permission strictly prohibited.

Uploaded

June 21st, 2016