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Sun-religion revival in Bolivia


A special ceremony on the Island of the Sun

Until the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century, the worship of the sun was normal in Southern America. The king was the son of the sun. Not only the Inca’s believed this, a people like the Moche in northern Peru, too. The Inca’s have their origin in Lake Titicaca. In the lake the island of the Sun and the island of the Moon are situated. The indians believe that the sun was born from a rock on the island of the Sun. This is ‘La Roca Sagrada’, the ‘Sacred Rock’.

In a small boat full of indians I arrive at the ceremonial spot. This is a big altar and rituals are taking place. In front of the Sacred Rock there is a little statue of the Sun God. This statue had arrived the day before from Switserland and had been taken in with great ceremony and lot’s of joy. It was placed in a box of glass: protected and still well to be seen. People gathered around it and prayed.

Somewhat later a high guest arrives: the president of Bolivia, Evo Morales. He lands in a helicopter. Everybody rushes in and follows him in attending the altar, the Sacred Rock and a well of which is said that when one drinks the water, one ‘doesn’t die’. After some sips of the blessed water I join the people in a communitarian dish: potatoes, meat, fis and vegatables displayed in rich decorated cloths on the ground. One is told that one can take as much as one likes. I enjoy the meal and talk to the people. A girl tells there will be a ceremony of llamas. A danse. The purpose of it is a good harvest.

In the meanwhile the sun is high in the sky and burns on the barren surface of the island. Everywhere around there is water and in the distance mountains. I see a Spanish girl I met the day before and to whom I had told of the ceremony. She is silent and clearly impressed. I feel happy, that after so many centuries, Indians practice openly their religion.

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