Horse race at the annual festival (Oct 31-Nov 2) in Todos Santos Cuchumatan,Guatemala

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Todos Santos Cuchumatan has a ten day fiesta lasting from October 21 to November 2, but the main day is November 1. All Saints Day (Dia de Todos Santos) is celebrated on November 1 and is to commemorate deceased children, while All Souls Day, November 2, is dedicated to the souls of departed adults. The main event of the fiesta is the horse race competition on November 1. The jinetes (or horsemen) spend the evening before the race in ceremonial alcoholism. By the time of the race, the following morning, many are quite inebriated. Many fall during the sprints and fatalities are not unknown. If someone dies during the race, it is considered an offering to the Mayan spirit world and "va a pasar un buen año" (it is going to be a good year).

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Size: 5120px × 3401px
Location: Central Latin Meso America Guatemala Todos Santos Cuchumatan Cordillera de los Cuchumatane
Photo credit: © Bert de Ruiter / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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