This February 20, 2018 photo shows a small statue of “Ekeko”, the god of prosperity, with a cigarette in its mouth during the annual Alasita Fair in La Paz, Bolivia. Ekeko is rendered as a short, pudgy, mustached man who wears traditional Andean clothes and carries baskets of grains. (Photo by Juan Karita/AP Photo)





In this February 3, 2018 photo, Alberto Macias Rios, dressed as “Ekeko”, the god of prosperity and the central figure of the Alasita Fair, holds fake money as he poses for a portrait in La Paz, Bolivia. Macias, 65, says his low stature helps him pull off the Ekeko personality, which he's proud and happy to emulate. Macias competed in this year's Ekeko costume competition. (Photo by Juan Karita/AP Photo)





In this February 5, 2018 photo, Cornelio Colque Huanca, dressed as “Ekeko”, the god of prosperity and the central figure of the Alasita Fair, poses for a portrait in front of a black curtain in La Paz, Bolivia. Huanca, 56, said he's been selling plants at the annual Alasita fair over the last 39 years. “Everything I've asked him, he has given to me. That's why I always wanted to dress up as Ekeko”, said Huanca who took 5th place at the Ekeko competition. (Photo by Juan Karita/AP Photo)





In this February 3, 2018 photo, fair vendors hold up a black backdrop behind Alberto Macias Rios, dressed as “Ekeko”, the god of prosperity and the central figure of the Alasita Fair, as he poses for a picture in La Paz, Bolivia. Macias, 65, says his low stature helps him pull off the Ekeko personality. “I grew up with the Alasitas fair accompanying my mother when the fair filled various streets and avenues of La Paz”, he said. Macias competed in this year's Ekeko costume competition. (Photo by Juan Karita/AP Photo)





In this February 6, 2018 photo, Lino Reynaldo Chura, dressed as “Ekeko”, the god of prosperity, is covered in objects, including a miniature bus, during a portrait session on the sidelines of the annual Alasita Fair in La Paz, Bolivia. The 64-year-old artisan says his speciality is sewing miniature clothing for Barbies. “I ask the Ekeko for good health, because the rest one attains by working”, he said. Chura competed in this year's Ekeko costume competition. (Photo by Juan Karita/AP Photo)





This February 20, 2018 photo shows a small statue of “Ekeko”, the god of prosperity, during the annual Alasita Fair in La Paz, Bolivia. Miniature items, from kitchen appliances to paintings, are purchased at the fair and placed at home around statues of Ekeko, who the Aymara believe will bless them with better lives in the coming year. (Photo by Juan Karita/AP Photo)





In this February 6, 2018 photo, Juan Ricaldi starts assembling his costume to become the “Ekeko”, the god of prosperity and the central figure of the Alasita Fair, in La Paz, Bolivia. “I carry the soul of the Ekeko”, said the 59-year-old artisan who studies history at the local university. Ricaldi won this year's Ekeko competition. (Photo by Juan Karita/AP Photo)





In this February 6, 2018 photo, Juan Ricaldi, dressed as “Ekeko”, the god of prosperity, is covered in objects including instruments as he holds a cigarette in his mouth during a portrait session on the sidelines of the annual Alasita Fair in La Paz, Bolivia. “For me, the Ekeko hasn't made me rich but allows me to live”, said the 59-year-old artisan. “I can say that the Ekeko has made my dreams come true, has never left me and will be with me forever”, he said. Ricaldi won this year's Ekeko competition. (Photo by Juan Karita/AP Photo)





In this February 3, 2018 photo, Hilarion Macias, dressed as “Ekeko”, the god of prosperity and the central figure of the Alasita Fair, holds fake money as he poses for a portrait in La Paz, Bolivia. Macias, 55, uses coca leaves to read people's futures. “The Ekeko is a big tradition, representing our future and a cultural tradition from the times of the Incas”, he said. Macias competed in this year's Ekeko costume competition. (Photo by Juan Karita/AP Photo)





In this February 20, 2018 photo, fair vendor Noelia Flores holds up a black backdrop behind a small statue of an “Ekeko”, the god of prosperity, for a portrait at her booth during the annual Alasita Fair in La Paz, Bolivia. Every year, thousands of Bolivians head to the feast of Alasitas that is held in his honor to buy miniature cars, houses and toy dollar bills symbolizing their dreams of prosperity. (Photo by Juan Karita/AP Photo)