IN STEREO

In the beginning I took part in the ch’alla rituals, for offerings to the Pachamama. Yes, at first. More when the business was going well. I still have a lot of faith in that, but lately I may have neglected it. The truth is that today I am in the doldrums. It is complicated. I have almost always overcome everything. I came here with nothing and there is no problem leaving with nothing. [But] I would like to overcome it. Despite having problems, I bring out the face that is as pleasant as possible, try to make jokes, and have a good time. But so that you understand a little bit of the faith that I have in Pachamama, in Mother Earth: in this very building, we did the c’oa – special preparations so that the house does not have any problems. So we buried some little things, some little llama foetuses, all that.

So we do believe in that and we have always done it. At first, when I was growing up, there were no such things. Potosí is where I've seen more of it and I've made it part of who I am – because everyone did it, and with what faith! I believe that every person wants to do well and learn from any experience. In this business I have done it, not so much to… How can I say it? Not to have certain arrangements so that it always goes well. But to recognise. Others tell me, “You need to be healed. I know a healer to heal you and to make you feel good and never lose, and you’ll do well.” No, I'm no supporter of that. If I have ever done the rituals, it has been as a thank you, no more than that. “Thank you” and just to recognise I am part of this culture. – Jacinto