Ruptly
"Members of the indigenous community of San Pedro de Macha held their annual Tinku ceremonial ritual on Monday, with traditional fights marking the occasion. Footage shows participants engaging in group and individual fights in the centre of the municipality, supervised by indigenous authorities intervening when participants fall to the ground. Fighters can also be seen walking while playing music, forming circles and dancing before the ritual. "Here we are in San Pedro de Macha with our culture, and we do not want to forget what Tinku is like, we are from the Yocona Alta community, we do not want to forget these ancestral practises and customs," declared Severino Centeno, one of the participants. "[I am here at] the Tinku of Macha, always. I cannot forget my culture, I am always here, all my life as Pata Majasaya," shared Leon Visalla, a Tinku fighter. The ritual begins when members of distant communities arrive in San Pedro de Macha, dancing and playing native music. After holding a mass, the communities consume traditional drinks in search of their rivals. Once the adversaries are identified, the tinku (encounter) begins with bare fists, although they can also use gloves and cowhide helmets specially made for the confrontations. The Quechua communities perform this ritual to spill blood to Pachamama, also known as Mother Earth. According to their belief, the earth provides food and sustenance, and in return, man offers part of his vital essence to ensure the agricultural cycle continues. The event, which coincides with the closing of the Fiesta de la Cruz, brings together hundreds of community members from across northern Potosi. "
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