The
Carnavales in the Peruvian highlands are joyful and cheerful and take place
during the month of February. A typical ritual is that of yunza, (umisha in the
jungle, and cortamonte in the coast). A big, enormous tree is planted
somewhere, full of presents and gifts. All the people are dancing around the yunza.
The idea is, to cut the tree so that it falls down. The couple that gives the
final cut before the tree falls down, is in charge of the organization of the
yunza next year.

In
the whole of the Peruvian country, you will see people throwing water to each
other, not only on the main day of Carnavales but during the whole month of
February.

Countrywide, Bolivia

In
towns and villages throughout Bolivia the people spend weeks and months
preparing for carnival (carnaval), the most colourful and popular fiesta in the
country. La Paz
celebrates with characters such as "Pepinos" and "Kusillos"
in bizarre costumes, flanked by dancers in street parades. Special parades are
held for children, with marching Andean bands becoming more tuneless with
increasing consumption of "chicha" and other intoxicating beverages.
Balloons filled with water are hurled indiscriminately; not everyone's idea of
fun. Among the other cities, Oruro, Santa Cruz and Tarija
stand out for their particular celebrations. In Oruro,

the
traditional festivities begin eight days before Ash Wednesday with the
"diablada" or devil dance. Elaborately masked "devils" are
prominent throughout. Carnival produces a boistrous, noisy party atmosphere,
great for joining in and taking photographs although later in the day, celebrations
can edge towards chaos

Themes:
Dance , Kids' Stuff , Entertainment , Music , Spectacle

Hours:
Various

Cost:
Free

Where:
Most towns and cities in Bolivia

Central
streets and squares of most Bolivian towns and cities. Venues include: Plaza San Francisco and Plaza Murillo in La Paz

Countrywide,
Bolivia