February 14, 2007

Oruro carnival, Bolivia

Every year thousands of dancers and marching bands descend on the Bolivian mountain town of Oruro for one of South America's largest carnivals. And like Rio it’s all about the dancing.

Oruro carnival Bolivia: marching band — Each town in Bolivia has many marching bands competing at the carnival. Photograph: Gina Perry

Oruro carnival Bolivia: carnival band — At the end of the procession, the bands join together and play through the night. Photograph: Gina Perry

Oruro carnival Bolivia: women in typical dress — Women in typical Bolivian-style clothing at the Copacabana carnival. Photograph: Gina Perry

Oruro carnival Bolivia: Caporales dancers — Caporales dancers force the route to widen as they dance (Copacabana). Photograph: Gina Perry

Oruro carnival Bolivia: caporales dancers — Caporales is a popular dance for young people in Bolivia. Photograph: Gina Perry

Oruro carnival Bolivia: Dancers at a drink stand — Dancers resting at one of the numerous drink stands along the 4km procession route. Photograph: Gina Perry

Oruro carnival Bolivia: slave-driver dancers — The slaves turn slave-drivers using the whips to control the other dancers. Photograph: Gina Perry

Oruro carnival Bolivia: morenado — The bulging eyes of the morenada mask represents the slaves' struggle to work at high altitude. Photograph: Gina Perry

Oruro carnival Bolivia: dancers — The rattles in the dancers' hands represent the importance of buses in Bolivia. Photograph: Mel Jewell

Oruro carnival Bolivia: Siku sikuri harvest dance — Siku sikuri is a harvest dance dating to 800 BC. Headdresses are made from ostrich feathers. Photograph: Mel Jewell

Oruro carnival Bolivia: Los Tinkus — Los Tinkus a traditional dance from the countryside. Photograph: Mel Jewell

Oruro carnival Bolivia: a morenado takes a rest — A morenada takes a rest from the procession - their costume weighs up to 50kg Photograph: Gina Perry

Oruro carnival Bolivia: caporales boots — The caporales dance is distinctive from the sound of the bells on their boots. Photograph: Gina Perry

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