By Gabriel Romano Burgoa
La Paz, Nov 8 (EFE) – «Ñatitas» (human skulls) are said to bring miracles and blessings from the souls that once inhabited them. Caring for these skulls is a tradition preserved by several Bolivian families who pass it on to younger generations.
On Friday, «ñatitas» devotees gathered at the Centennial General Cemetery in La Paz, as they do every year on Nov. 8, to celebrate their holiday.
The narrow streets of the cemetery were filled with people carrying skulls in small glass or wooden urns decorated with garlands of flowers, hats, cigars, and coca leaves in their teeth.
Carmelo, an Aymara-decorated «ñatita,» belongs to Edwin Chávez, who told EFE that the skull grants spiritual favors such as protection and family wisdom.
Hilda Moncada, a retired physical education teacher, told EFE that the skull that accompanies her family is called Eliana, named after Montana dreamt that a 17-year-old girl spoke to her.
Many caregivers say that shortly after receiving a «ñatita,» they dreamt of the person to whom the remains belonged, who guided them in choosing a name.
Each «ñatita» is said to have the power to solve any problem if asked with faith, so every Nov. 8 devotees serenade them, dance and light candles as a sign of gratitude.
The cult of the «ñatitas» is a symbolic practice associated with the feast of All Saints.
Young guardians
Carlos and Cipriano are two «ñatitas» cared for by Wendy Sequeiros, who received them as part of a family tradition that goes back more than 50 years, as the skulls once belonged to her grandmother.
Sequeiros said her grandmother dreamed that Carlos and Cipriano were two detectives, so people usually ask them for favors related to trials or robberies.
Jovita Zaconeta, along with her mother, «Aunt Teo,» cares for 21 skulls belonging to her father, uncles, her mother’s ex-partners, and her sisters, among others.
Two of the ñatitas in Zaconeta’s care, Luz and Luna, were twins who died shortly before they were born; they had been buried, but later the family decided to take them home, where they have a room full of toys, she told EFE.
«(Luz and Luna) have done many miracles; they have helped many people. We have healed many children and women who could not be mothers,» she explained.
Oscar, a 22-year-old man who practices esotericism and «witchcraft,» has 37 «ñatitas» given to him by his clients.
The young man told EFE about Fernando, one of the first skulls he received that is known to give money and protection.
According to Oscar, the cult of «ñatitas» attracts many young people dissatisfied with mainstream religions and prefer to seek refuge in «something more traditional.»
The young followers share their beliefs with older people like Elizabeth Portugal, an Aymara seer, who told EFE that she has 88 «ñatitas» in her house and testified to the «many miracles» they have performed. EFE
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