Member Since: 1/7/2010
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Bolivian Villagers who attack one another for Good Luck
Villagers attack one another in brutal brawl... for GOOD LUCK: Men and even women bid to spill the most blood in Bolivian tradition
- The fighting takes place in Macha, in the Andes, Bolivia, and is considered a sacred rite of the Quechua Indians
- The centuries-old event sees thousands of Quechan, descendants of the Incas, gather from across the region
- Villagers punch each other to please the local goddess Pachamama so she will allow a fruitful harvest
Quote:
This is the mass street fight where thousands of villagers aim to 'spill as much blood as possible' - for luck.
A British journalist was punched as he watched the bizarre ritual - known as The Machu Tinku - which sees men and women dressed in colourful clothes punch each other to please the local goddess Pachamama so she will allow a fruitful harvest.
The fighting takes place in Macha, in the Andes mountains, Bolivia, and is considered a sacred rite of the Quechua Indians.
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This is the mass street fight where thousands of villagers aim to 'spill as much blood as possible' - for luck
A British journalist was punched as he watched the bizarre ritual - known as The Machu Tinku
The fighting takes place in Macha, in the Andes mountains, Bolivia, and is considered a sacred rite of the Quechua Indians
Quote:
The centuries-old event sees thousands of Quechan, descendants of the Incas, gather from across the Altiplano region, in Bolivia.
During the ritual, one village circles another before the violence erupts.
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Attempts to ban the Tinku by local authorities and the Catholic Church have all failed as thousands of villages continue the tradition each year
While watching the fight, British journalist Martin Pashley, who was with a local guide, was punched by a local and hit by another villager with the butt of a whip
Quote:
Attempts to ban the Tinku by local authorities and the Catholic Church have all failed as thousands of villages continue the tradition each year.
Only 30 police officers, armed with batons and tear gas, are there to control the crowds.
While watching the fight Mr Pashley, who was with a local guide, was punched by a local and hit by another villager with the butt of a whip.
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Journalist Martin Pashley said: 'The first five minutes are a pure chaos of panpipes, Incas running around, screaming women, cops whipping people, a god-awful panpipe dirge and flurries of cocoa leaves falling through the air'
In this image one of the villagers has been knocked to the floor and police officers are keeping his assailant at bay
Quote:
'No jewellery or knuckledusters are allowed, though back in the day metal claws were used to disembowel opponents, and kicking is strictly forbidden..
'The fights are short and brutal with all punches aimed at the head. The aim isn't to knock your opponent out but to make him or her bleed.
'The more blood, the better your village's luck will be next year, and the better the crops will grow.
'If there isn't any blood, Pachamama won't be happy.
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Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz3zoGq9EGz
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