Músico Atacameño, preparándose para la Fiesta Patrona

The Andean-Christian syncretism manifests in different local ceremonies, especially at the patron saints' celebrations.

Each village has its saint, patron of the town. Along with this community protector, there are saints worshipped for their miracles. San Antonio, for example, is the llama herder's patron.

According to the local beliefs, the Virgin of Guadalupe appears in a creek that crosses the Aiquina village.

Candelaria is the main festival of Caspana, even though San Lucas is the patron of the community.

The community holds the second lieutenant responsible for the organization of the festival. Women, belonging to the house of the second lieutenant, prepare the meal called "boda" (wedding), served to special guests.

These rituals, related to the annual agricultural cycle, are characterized by the Atacameno traditional rites, which have blended with Christian beliefs, constituting an expression of Andean-Christian syncretism.

Geronimo de Vivar, chronicler - secretary of Pedro de Valdivia conqueror, comments:

"They speak with the demon they take for a friend..." This description refers to the shaman practice in which he communicates with the spirit or supernatural being.

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