Tinku in the air, a photo from Potosi, South

Photographer's Note

This again is not a great picture in terms of photography, but I modestly think it will contribute to knowing our world a bit better.
We are "here" in one of the most remote valleys of the Norte Potosi.
People live in total autarcy and they rarely see any "gringo"... except a friend of mine who is doctor and visits this place at least once a year (he has 400
of such villages to deserve !). I got the chance to accompany him in septembre 91.

During that period of the year and for almost three month it is a permanent "fiesta". I am not an anthropologist and could hardly describe all rituals and symbolics... but what I can tell you is that it is a mixture of paganism and christian influence. On that day they were celebrating the San Andres, but the pachamama (Mother Earth) as well.
The truth is spitefully that these feasts are affected by exaggerated alcohol consumption.. and not only the traditional chicha drink but a lot of pure 95° alcohol. Tradition than looses ground and violence appears leading sometimes to (partial) anthropophagy!

On this image you will notice the characteristic helmet worn by men for the ritual "tinku" fight. Officially, tinku is forbidden, but it is still surviving in this remote region of the Norte Potosi... leading sometimes to deads.

I dedicate this picture to my friend "arturo" also passionated about Bolivia.

This slide was scanned and brightness enhanced to show the faces (even if it brings saturation).

fijiphil, lotis, lasscor, PauloAJPires, arturo ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

pat0500 (21561) 2006-08-20 12:06

Salut Eric,
Je viens d'enlever ma photo de ce matin ou je pense que tu m'avais conseiller de faire des posts solitaires?.Je là remettrai demain.Je viens également de t'envoyer un message concernant une rencontre en Suisse?.Pour la photo,j'aime bien ce genre d'image qui est très naturel et qui nous montre bien le vie courante de ces pays que l'on ne vois peut être pas assez..!
Belle composition..!
Bien à toi et à bientôt.
Pat

fijiphil (1355) 2006-08-20 12:47

It's great. I love the expressions on the people's faces, especially the lady bottom right who is looking at us. Colours have a great, washed out quality too. Even the over exposure is working for you here. I like it very much.

lasscor (7640) 2006-08-21 5:35

Bonjour Eric,
Joli rassemblement festif.
Beaucoup de détails à observer, des visages expressifs, des costumes traditionnels.
La lumière défavorable et difficile à gerer est bien maîtrisée et ajoute un plus l'ambiance.
TFS,
Corinne

PauloAJPires (294) 2006-08-21 5:58

Great photo Eric...

I think you could give it more colour and contrast. It will show better the feathers

Anyway, great photo

Regards
Paulo Pires

arturo (31) 2006-08-21 10:23

Hi Eric,

i really appreciate your dedication...it did not give me other choice other than to include this image under my favourites;-)...
in fact, you're very modest about this shot...but the image matches very well with TE spirit as it shows a real "off the beaten track" place one, in regular circumstances, would not be able to experience while visiting Bolivia...i can hardly believe the photo was taken in 1991...it only tells that places like this did not change at all during the last 15 years...the post processing is excellent...compensating the loss of contrast in favour of presenting some expressions on villagers faces...i enjoyed the educative note very much as well...and on the top of everything it fits my personal choice...a kinda photo about Bolivia i'm always keen to see...much obliged...un abrazo, arturo

cam (9043) 2006-08-22 15:19

Bonjour Eric
Effectivement,qque point technique laisse à désirer,mais le coté découverte est telle que les défauts n'existent pas.J'apprends des choses inconnus de moi et de voir ces gens dans leur costumes et de comprendre leur fêtes est important pour moi.
Je trouve votre copain très dédié à ce peuple et il mérite mn admiration.
Chsrles.

Flavia (10352) 2006-08-22 19:00

Salut Eric,

Cett photo m'ai attire d'un coup! Les chapeaux des plumes, la foules, les couleurs marron, mais surtout le regard de la jolie fille a droite. Elle semble te regarder, et la lumere sur elle la mettre naturelment au centre de la scene a mon avis elle donne a la photo une touche original qui ratrape toutes question techinique. Il me semble qui j'ai vu un documentaire de cette fete sur discovery chanel il y a quelques anees. Quel chance d'etre dans un tel endroit! J'imagine qui ton ami a eu beaucoup de travail ce jour la! Merci beaucoup de partager ce moment avec nous.

A+

Flavia

dilane (861) 2007-06-18 14:08

Bonsoir Eric,
je viens de tomber sur cette photo et je trouve que tu as bien fait de la poster. (au cas où tu aurais eu un doute) surtout accompagnée de ta note. Je n'ai pas encore visité cette région du monde, peut-être qu'un jour...
merci du partage
Amitiés.
Daniel