(21 Jun 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
El Alto, Bolivia – 21 June 2025
1. Yatiris (Andean spiritual leaders) during a ceremony asking for the sun to rise
2. Yatiris with offerings, bonfire
3. Believers participating in the ceremony, raising hands
4. First lights behind mountains, bonfire
5. Statue and bonfire
6. Two llamas in a bonfire as an offering during the solstice rituals
7. Bonfire, offerings, people and first light of the day
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Rosmeri Choque, resident of El Alto:
"What we want from the city of El Alto is to ask, in these moments of crisis when the country is going through very difficult times, for peace, for calm, for a strong economy, good health, and good omens. That all Bolivians do well, even though we are going through critical times. We ask nature, Pachamama (Mother Earth), and Tata Inti (Father Sun), as has been done for 5,533 years, to bless us all."
9. Sun rising, mountains, La Paz city view from El Alto city
10. Various of people raising their hands to receive the sun’s rays
11. Various of a group of farmers raising hands
12. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Miguel Cuellar, resident of El Alto:
"We believe this year will bring good omens because, as you may have seen, the sun rose without any trouble. Last year, we had to wait almost two hours to receive the first rays of the sun."
13. Various of sun rising behind the mountains
STORYLINE:
Thousands of Bolivians made their way to the surrounding mountains and scenic viewpoints in the early hours of Saturday to welcome the first rays of sunlight, marking the celebration of the Andean New Year.
This traditional festival dates back to pre-Hispanic civilizations and coincides with the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.
According to popular belief, pilgrimages to sacred mountain sites—where people offer gifts to Pachamama, or Mother Earth—and the act of receiving the first rays of sunlight are believed to bring renewed energy.
"We ask nature, Pachamama (Mother Earth), and Tata Inti (Father Sun), as has been done for 5,533 years, to bless us all" said Rosmeri Choque.
For ancient cultures and their descendants, the date also marks the start of the new agricultural calendar in communities along the foothills of the Andes.
The ongoing economic crisis in Bolivia has led to smaller crowds this year, but the tradition remains alive.
In the city of El Alto, hundreds of devotees greeted the sunrise to the sound of folk music, gathered around bonfires at a high-altitude overlook with sweeping views of La Paz.
At this sacred site, yatiris, or traditional spiritual guides, offer rituals to Pachamama at the request of their clients. Street signs at nearby vendor stalls advertise blessings to “attract luck, good health, and positive omens” for businesses.
"We believe this year will bring good omens because, as you may have seen, the sun rose without any trouble. Last year, we had to wait almost two hours to receive the first rays of the sun." said Miguel Cuellar.
For the Aymara communities living more than 3,000 meters above sea level in the Bolivian highlands, the celebration is a time to thank Pachamama and offer gifts in hopes of a good harvest—especially of potatoes, a native Andean crop that has recently suffered from the effects of climate change, including prolonged droughts and hard frosts.
AP Video by Carlos Guerrero
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