Photos: St. James Festival
A yearly festival honors Santiago the apostle, known as Saint James in English, the patron saint of the town in Guaqui, Bolivia.
Bolivia St James Festival
In this July 19, 2013 photo, masked dancers in costume parade during a festival held in honor of Santiago the apostle, known as Saint James in English, the patron saint of the town in Guaqui, Bolivia. “I have much faith, I’ve been dancing for 25 years out of my devotion to ‘Tata’ Santiago,” said one of the festival organizers Guillermo Paton, using the Aymara word for “lord” or “sir.” Paton noted that the saint’s feast day is July 25, but the celebration is usually held a few days earlier. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Bolivia St James Festival
In this July 19, 2013 photo, a boat made of reeds that grow in Titicaca Lake crarries cakes on a lagoon during a festival held in honor of Santiago the apostle, known as Saint James in English, the patron saint of the town in Guaqui, Bolivia. In the Bolivian highlands along the shores of Lake Titicaca, this Aymara Indian community celebrates St. James the weekend before his feast day on July 25. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Bolivia St James Festival
In this July 19, 2013 photo, dancers hold their masks as they pose for a portrait during a festival held in honor of Santiago the apostle, known as Saint James in English, the patron saint of the town in Guaqui, Bolivia. In the Bolivian highlands along the shores of Lake Titicaca, this Aymara Indian community celebrates St. James the weekend before his feast day on July 25. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Bolivia St James Festival
In this July 19, 2013 photo, a dancer holding his mask jumps form his team's boat made of reeds that grow in the Titicaca Lake after crossing a lagoon during a festival held in honor of Santiago the apostle, known as Saint James in English, the patron saint of the town in Guaqui, Bolivia. According to tradition, those who fell into the water are expected to have bad luck in the coming year while those who do not fall will not. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Bolivia St James Festival
In this July 19, 2013 photo, dancers hold their masks during a festival held in honor of Santiago the apostle, known as Saint James in English, the patron saint of the town in Guaqui, Bolivia. In Guaqui, west of La Paz, dancers celebrated enthusiastically on Friday despite the winter cold. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Bolivia St James Festival
In this July 19, 2013 photo, dancers in costumes stand up as they dance in a boat made of reeds that grow in the Titicaca Lake as they cross a lagoon during a festival held in honor of Santiago the apostle, known as Saint James in English, the patron saint of the town in Guaqui, Bolivia. On precarious boats floating in a small lagoon, teams of St. James devotees in colorful costumes dance to calm the saint before they seek his forgiveness and protection. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)