Photographer’s Note
The Cerro Calvario is one of the two large hills near the water's edge in the city of Copacabana (the other being Niño Calvario). After a lot of searching I find that the estimates of the altitude of the peak range from about 3950-4005 m (12960-13140 ft). The path up the hill is steep and at times rocky, and along the way are 14 stations of the cross, representing the journey of Christ to his death, where the faithful stop on their way to the summit.
The Calvario, along with the Santísima Virgen de la Candelaria, have made Copacabana a site of pilgrimage for many who come seeking blessings and/or favors. People young and old come to climb the hill, which they say takes about 30 minutes to scale for a person of average fitness.
While the fourteen crosses atop the hill are a remnant of Christian influence in the history of Copacabana, the site is also home to many Aymara rituals that have blended somewhat with Christianity (and vice versa). In particular, the celebration of the 5th of August involves a very special series of practices. According to one author:
Many Aymaran peasants make the pilgrimage to Copacabana on the day of August 5. Showing devotion, they enter the Sanctuary and, as I have observed on several occasions, approach the image of the Virgin, before whom they express their wishes - that the coming year's crop be good, that they have everything needed in their homes, that everyone remain free of illness, etc. After visiting the Virgin they pass into a dark room, heading toward the offering of candles. There they light candles and remain a few minutes in silence, reciting their prayers. Later they leave the sacred place and proceed to the Calvario, a small, rocky mountain situated nearby. Slowly they climb and, along the way, try to make knots in the "paja brava" (a type of vegetation that grows here) using only one hand, a gesture that, as we have seen, symbolizes the shedding of one's sins. Atop the summit of the Calvario, in the part that faces Lake Titicaca, there is a sandy area where the pilgrims are received by a native Aymaran minister. He then traces lines in the sand, symbolizing the "chacras" (farms) that the pilgrims have or wish to have. The "yatiri" (wise man) prays with and for the group, specifically addressing the Pachamama (Mother Earth) and other guardian spirits. One can obtain a miniature property certificate for these chacras, as well as other miniature objects such as a house or a vehicle. The yatiri blesses these things with a "ch'alla", a libation with alcohol. Afterwards, the peasants return down to the village and often enter the Sanctuary once again in order to ask for the Virgin's blessing of the objects that they have brought from the Calvario."
source: http://www.ucbcba.edu.bo/hans/cap5.htm#998962
See the link for version in Spanish; translation is my own.
Post-processing: Crop, curves, convert to B+W.
kingdragon, rmorillo has marked this note useful
Critiques | Translate
kingdragon
(407) 2005-05-09 2:53
very good composition
b&W is very good choice for this picture
Excellent
rmorillo
(261) 2005-05-10 14:50
This photo has an incredible message. I am surprised more people haven´t paid dues to it. The individual crypts and the perspective of the shot made me think of people lining up to reach the cross of salvation. Interesting! Good composition, DOF and subject. The scope and tripod are a little distracting. You may try taking them out.
Good Job!
laubethm (22) 2005-07-23 10:30
Indredible shot with great mystique. It works well with the black and white and high contrast.
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Adam Splitek (duder)
(321) - Genre: Places
- Medium: Black & White
- Date Taken: 2004-07-00
- Categories: Ruins
- Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-P72
- Exposure: f/7.1, 1/400 seconds
- Details: Tripod: Yes
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Travelogue: Bolivia 2004
- Date Submitted: 2005-05-08 14:04








