Johnny Fernandez Rojas
The "Prestaria" Virgin in preparations
Johnny Fernandez Rojas
The 'Prestaria' Virgin in preparations
Again, and not only in several places in Bolivia, but also in other countries, the preparations for the celebration of the Festivity of Urkupiña, intensify.
On August 15 of each year, and for more than three quarters of a century, Quillacollo (city near Cochabamba), is the epicenter of the most significant religious manifestation of Bolivia: the Festivity of Urkupiña, although its antiquity is of greater date.
As the largest religious event in the country, it also registers more and more replicas in countless countries of the world, a condition that accredits it as a social phenomenon.
According to general estimates, about one million visitors are concentrated between August 14 and 16 in this municipality, which has about 200 thousand inhabitants, who still do not find options of supply and care, for the unbridled torrent of parishioners.
The word "Urkupiña" is a neologism originated in the Quechua language, and the sustaining legend refers to a shepherdess who herded her tiny cattle in the Cota mountain range (south of Quillacollo), where she frequently met the celestial figure.
However, in one of them, the girl spent more time than usual, and her parents, noticing her tardiness, went in search of her and "surprised" her in a dialogue with the divinity; Exhilarated by the fact, they went to the town to communicate what they had seen; the parish priest and a crowd, rushed to verify this information, when they noticed the proximity of the unbelievers, the "Virgin" began her retreat, the parishioners, still astonished, were able to see her ascent to the celestial kingdom, and exclaimed: "orkopiña! , which means "she is already on the hill", hence the origin of the name and later the variation into Spanish.
Tradition gave rise to this initial legend.
The "loan" of money from the Virgin is the capital act of the "urkupiñística" faith. The faithful gather in the mountain range where the virginal image "appeared": Cota (El Calvario), geographic space surrounded by rocky seams, which are broken by the believers, and each of the pieces represents "money", one of them, the largest volume, obviously is selected and presented to the Virgin of Urkupiña, on that hill, there is "agreed" the promise to make every effort to ensure the materialization of their request.
This request is generally fulfilled. And the following year, the loan is returned with the "respective economic interest", real and effective amount that is deposited to the coffers of the Church.
This accelerated devotional evolution is reinforced with others that extol the religious spirit.
Religious scheme
The "novenas" Implorations of the devotees Streets of Quillacollo and at night during the first days of August.
Procession of Marian invocations More than thirty images of the world Main roads of this municipality Days preceding August 15.
Mass of Feast, liturgy and core of all General Constriction. Attended by the president of the country Frontis of the Temple San Ildefonso, square and adjacent streets August 15, hours 11:00.
Solemn Procession of the Virgin of Urkupiña Implorations, chanting and accompaniment of the procession.
Pilgrimage of the faithful Walk more than 17 kilometers from Cochabamba to El Calvario Trunk Avenues Departure 00:00 at night and arrival at approximately 06:00 hours August 16.
Devotional and pagan expression Mass and blessing of "goods" or "borrowed money" Chapel in El Calvario mountain range August 16, central day, but also, all year round.
Collaterally, to these particular rituals, and with the passing of the years, pagan elements were also incorporated, contributing to the lavishness and even festive opulence, which it currently boas
Folkloric scheme
"Entrada Urkupiñita" (Urkupiñita Entrance) Approximately three dozen children's folkloric groups. First week of August Central roads of Quillacollo, 1 km.
"August 13 Central roads of Quillacollo, 3 km.
Folkloric "Entrada" About one hundred fraternities participate August 14 Central roads of Quillacollo, 4.2 km
"Alasitas" miniature sale: houses, vehicles, academic degrees, etc. August 17 to 30 Square and roads adjacent to the center of Quillacollo
The replicas in other countries are not always manifested with these expressions, however, the Fiesta Mass and folkloric dances are unavoidable.
Precisely, and since three years ago, through the webinares, an international coordination is intended, with managers of the Festivity in several countries, to date to this relationship, cities of the United States, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Chile, Argentina are aligned. This 2024, will be adhered: Peru and Paraguay
On the other hand, the management for the declaration by UNESCO, as "Feast of the Virgin of Urkupiña in Quillacollo, the Ayni and Integration of Cultures" for its nomination to "Cultural and Intangible Heritage of Humanity", is the remaining step, that is, its final stage.
In this "urkupiñístico" context, religious tourism has a strong passport and a visa for an unpredictable projection of international religiosity.
Author: Johnny Fernández Rojas
Journalist and cultural manager
The authors are responsible for the choice and presentation of the facts contained in this document and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of Tourism and Society Think Tank and do not commit the Organization, and should not be attributed to TSTT or its members.
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