Llamas sit as independent miners bless the mine by offering animal sacrifice as part of Andean carnival celebrations, outside the Mina Itos on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia, February 24, 2017. In the mines of highland Bolivia, “El Tío” is the familiar name for the spirit owner of the mountain, who is also known as Huari or Supay. He is closely related to similar figures found in mines in Peru called “muqui”. The words “El Tío” are Spanish for “the uncle” and evince the relationship of patronage that the miners have with the spirit. He is associated with pre-Hispanic huacas as well as the Christian Devil and is a central figure in the ritual life of Bolivian mining communities. An icon of the Tío is situated in each mineshaft to receive sacrificial offerings of alcohol, coca, cigarettes, llama blood and other ritual items from the miners in return for his goodwill and his guarantee of good health and good fortune in the mines. These rites of sacrifice to the spirit owner of the mines reflect both the pre-Columbian system of reciprocity and the relations of patronage that have come down from Spanish colonial society. In the pre-Columbian Andean world view, the huacas (deities) that were embodied in natural landmarks were an important part of the social landscape (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)





Llamas with covered heads are seen, as workers bless the mine by offering animal sacrifice as part of Andean carnival celebrations, at the Mina Itos onn the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia, February 24, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)





Independent miners toast in front of an offering to bless the mine by offering animal sacrifice as part of Andean carnival celebrations, outside the Mina Itos on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia February 24, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)





Llamas sit as independent miners bless the mine by offering animal sacrifice as part of Andean carnival celebrations, outside the Mina Itos on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia February 24, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)





An independent miner holds a Llama to sacrifice to have good fortune during the year as part of Andean carnival celebrations, outside the Mina Itos on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia February 24, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)





Llamas sit as independent miners bless the mine by offering animal sacrifice as part of Andean carnival celebrations, outside the Mina Itos on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia February 24, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)





Independent miners transport llamas to sacrifice them for good fortune during the year as part of Andean carnival celebrations, outside the Mina Itos on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia February 24, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)





Independent miners transport offerings to have good fortune during the year as part of Andean carnival celebrations, outside the Mina Itos on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia February 24, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)





Independent miners attend to make offerings for good fortune during the year as part of Andean carnival celebrations at the Mina Itos on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia February 24, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)





A independent miner holds a Llama heart during a ritual for good fortune in the year as part of Andean carnival celebrations at the Mina Itos on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia February 24, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)





A independent miner tries to get a heart of a Llama during a ritual for good fortune in the year as part of Andean carnival celebrations at the Mina Itos on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia February 24, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)





A independent miner holds the heart of a Llama during a ritual for good fortune in the year as part of Andean carnival celebrations at the Mina Itos on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia February 24, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)





A witchdoctor holds the heart of a Llama during a ritual for good fortune in the year as part of Andean carnival celebrations at the Mina Itos on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia February 24, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado/Reuters)