Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
ethnographic study, Bolivians, Urkupiña, Quillacollo
College
Fine Arts and Communications
Department
Dance
Abstract
Urkupiña is one the most important religious festivities in Quillacollo, Cochabamba, Bolivia. It is a colorful festival with folkloric dancing, a large religious mass, processions, typical food, and the sale of miniature handicrafts. People of all ages participate in this celebration. The festivity consists of different activities during four full days, folkloric dances being fundamental among them. The origin of this festivity comes from a legend. In Quillacollo lived a little shepherd girl that met the Virgin Mary on the hill while taking care of her sheep. The Virgin told the girl that she should bring rocks from the mountain. If she did, the Virgin promised that she would turn those rocks into money. The little girl believed her and the Virgin turned the rocks into money. The origin of the festivity’s name comes from orqopiña, which means “on the hill” in Quechua. When people wanted to know where they could find the Virgin, the girl would answer orqopiña. Urkupiña is a celebration to the Virgin Mary.
Recommended Citation
Challis, Angela Rosales and Black, Catherine
(2013)
"Truth in Traditions: an Ethnographic Study of the Participation of Bolivians in the Annual Urkupiña Celebration,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 2233.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2233