Oruro's Devil Dance is unforgettable!

In Bolivia, the communities of Oruro, Santa Cruz, Tarija and La Paz hold carnavals but the carnival in Oruro is the most famous. It takes place for the eight days preceeding Ash Wednesday (March 1, 2006). Unlike carnival in Rio where the escolas de samba choose a new theme each year, carnival in Oruro always begins with the diablada or devil dance. The diablada is a centuries-old ritual surviving unchanged from colonial days.

Oruro is called the folkloric capital of Bolivia for its adherence to traditional customs.
Photo of costumed dancers thanks to Carnival in Bolivia.