Why Do Devils Dance in Oruro?

Introduction

The Oruro Carnival is Bolivia’s most famous folklore festival, and its best-known image is a paradox: thousands of devils dancing in a religious pilgrimage. Held in the highland mining city of Oruro, the carnival combines Catholic devotion, Indigenous Andean beliefs, mining traditions, music, masks and public theatre into a spectacle unlike any other in South America. At its centre stands the Diablada, or Devil Dance, in which horned figures, angels and supernatural beings enact a struggle between underworld forces and sacred power. Far from being a simple celebration of evil, the dance reflects centuries of cultural blending, turning old Andean spirits, colonial religious imagery and local mining beliefs into a shared national tradition. UNESCO has recognised the Carnival of Oruro as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage, and it remains one of the strongest symbols of Bolivian cultural identity.[Intangible Cultural Heritage]ich.unesco.orgIntangible Cultural HeritageCarnival of OruroThe Carnival, which takes place every year, lasts ten days and gives rise to a panoply of po…

The Mining City Behind the Carnival

Oruro sits on Bolivia’s high Andean plateau and grew as a mining centre. The city’s folklore cannot be separated from that environment. For generations, miners worked in dangerous underground conditions and developed traditions linking the world beneath the earth to powerful supernatural forces. The carnival emerged from this setting, where everyday life, religion and folklore constantly overlapped.[Intangible Cultural Heritage]ich.unesco.orgIntangible Cultural HeritageBolivia (Plurinational State of)The Oruro Carnival is one of the most emblematic festivities in Bolivia, reco…

Long before the modern festival took shape, the region was home to Indigenous ceremonial traditions. During the colonial period, Spanish authorities attempted to suppress many local religious practices. Rather than disappearing, many beliefs were absorbed into Catholic forms. UNESCO notes that older Andean deities and rituals continued under Christian symbolism, while local festivals were reinterpreted through the worship of saints and the Virgin Mary. The traditional dance that became the Diablada eventually emerged as the leading performance of Oruro’s carnival celebrations.[UNESCO]unesco.orgthe Oruro Carnival | Intangible Heritagethe Oruro Carnival | Intangible HeritageMay 15, 2010 — La fiesta de Ito fue transformada en ritual cristiano: la Candelaria (el 2 d…Published: May 15, 2010

The carnival today is also a pilgrimage. Dancers and musicians spend months preparing before making their way to the sanctuary associated with the Virgin of Socavón, the patron figure most closely linked with Oruro’s mining heritage. Participation is often described not simply as entertainment but as an act of devotion.[neprajz.hu]neprajz.huHere, participants gather before the church of La Virgen del Socavón, erected over…Read more…

Devil Masks, Saints and Underworld Powers

The question most visitors ask is simple: why are there so many devils?

The answer lies in the blending of several different traditions. The Diablada presents a dramatic confrontation between forces represented as devils and heavenly powers led by the Archangel Michael. On one level, this resembles Catholic morality plays introduced during the colonial era. On another, the devils also echo older Andean beings associated with mountains, caves, mines and the underground world.[rutaverdebolivia.com]rutaverdebolivia.comBolivia's Carnival in OruroRuta Verde…Jun 21, 2024 — Recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the Diablada features…

Mining beliefs are particularly important. In Bolivian mining culture, underground realms have long been associated with powerful spirits who could bring fortune, disaster or protection. Over time, some of these beings became linked with Christian images of the devil, creating a folklore in which underground powers were feared, respected and ritually acknowledged rather than simply condemned. The Diablada transforms those ideas into public performance.[traditionculture.art]traditionculture.artasterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO…Read more…

The masks themselves tell the story. Traditional Diablada masks often feature:

• Large horns and fangs associated with Christian devil imagery.
• Serpents, dragons and animal forms linked to local folklore.
• Brilliant colours, mirrors and decorative elements that emphasise spectacle as much as fear.
• Hybrid features that make the figures look supernatural rather than purely demonic. Timothy S. Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology+2masksoftheworld.com[lammuseum.wfu.edu]lammuseum.wfu.eduTimothy SY. Lam Museum of AnthropologyBolivia: Make A Carnival Mask - Lam Museum of AnthropologyEach mask is made with linen soaked in plaster and…

The result is not a straightforward representation of evil. Instead, the devils embody danger, temptation, underground power, historical memory and local identity all at once.

The Story Told Through the Diablada

The Diablada is often described as a battle between good and evil, but the performance is more complex than that summary suggests.

The dance normally includes devils, female devil figures, angels and the Archangel Michael. Through music and choreography, the devils advance in dramatic formations before ultimately being confronted by heavenly forces. In many modern interpretations, the performance ends with the defeat or submission of the demonic characters and their acknowledgement of sacred authority.[allthingsbolivia.com]allthingsbolivia.comoruro carnival bolivias unesco celebration of dance devotion and cultureAll Things BoliviaOruro Carnival: Bolivia's UNESCO Celebration of Dance…1 Sept 2025 — One of the most iconic and visually intense perf…

Yet the popularity of the devils themselves is significant. The audience is not merely watching villains lose. The devils are the stars of the performance, represented through the most elaborate costumes, masks and choreography. This reflects a common feature of folklore festivals worldwide: dangerous or chaotic powers are brought into the public sphere, displayed, controlled and symbolically transformed rather than ignored. In Oruro, the supernatural beings of mines, mountains and the underworld become visible and communal through dance.

Some researchers trace elements of the Diablada to older ceremonial dances associated with Indigenous groups of the Altiplano, including traditions connected with regional deities and spirits. Although details remain debated, scholars broadly agree that the modern form emerged through centuries of interaction between Indigenous and Catholic traditions rather than from a single origin point.[wikipedia.org]WikipediaOpen source on wikipedia.org.

How Performance Became National Folklore

What began as a regional tradition became one of Bolivia’s most important cultural symbols.

The Carnival of Oruro now involves thousands of dancers and musicians and showcases a wide range of Bolivian folk dances, although the Diablada remains its most iconic performance. The scale of participation helps explain why the festival occupies such an important place in national culture.[Panorama de las Américas]revistapanorama.comPanorama de las Américas Bolivia: Devil Dances of OruroThe groups are categorized by the rhythm they choose; the diabladas are emblematic of this Carnival…

Recognition beyond Bolivia also played a role. UNESCO proclaimed the carnival a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001, and it was later inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. International recognition encouraged preservation efforts focused on music, dance, costume-making, mask production and the transmission of knowledge between generations.[Intangible Cultural Heritage]ich.unesco.orgIntangible Cultural HeritageCarnival of OruroThe Carnival, which takes place every year, lasts ten days and gives rise to a panoply of po…

The carnival’s artistic traditions are now major cultural institutions in their own right. Mask makers, embroiderers, costume designers, musicians and dance fraternities spend much of the year preparing for the event. These crafts are not merely decorative; they are part of the mechanism through which folklore survives and evolves.[unesco.org]ich.unesco.orgThe sumptuous costumes, beautifully painted masks, folk dances…Read more…

Folklore, Faith and Identity Today

Modern audiences encounter the Oruro Carnival in many ways. Some see it primarily as a religious pilgrimage. Others view it as a celebration of Indigenous heritage, a display of national folklore, a tourist attraction or an extraordinary performance tradition. These interpretations coexist rather than cancel one another out.[latindiscoveries.com]latindiscoveries.comOruro Festival Travel GuideOruro Festival Travel Guide - Latin DiscoveriesThe Oruro Carnival is primarily a religious festival that pays homage to t…

The enduring power of the carnival comes from its ability to hold several meanings simultaneously. The devils are Christian and Andean, frightening and festive, ancient and modern. The masks evoke underworld spirits while serving as works of contemporary craftsmanship. The pilgrimage honours a Catholic sacred figure while preserving traditions shaped by the mining communities of the Altiplano.[unesco.org]ich.unesco.orgIntangible Cultural HeritageBolivia (Plurinational State of)The Oruro Carnival is one of the most emblematic festivities in Bolivia, reco…

For Bolivia, the Oruro Carnival is more than a colourful festival. It is a living example of how folklore adapts across centuries. Through the Diablada, stories of mines, saints, spirits and survival continue to be performed before enormous audiences, ensuring that one of the country’s most distinctive traditions remains both heritage and living culture.[Intangible Cultural Heritage]ich.unesco.orgIntangible Cultural HeritageCarnival of OruroThe Carnival, which takes place every year, lasts ten days and gives rise to a panoply of po…

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Further Reading

Books and field guides related to Why Do Devils Dance in Oruro?. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.

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The Rough Guide to Bolivia

By James Read, Rough Guides

Contains practical and cultural coverage of major festivals.

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Open Veins of Latin America

By Eduardo Galeano

Provides historical context for mining regions behind the carnival.

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A Concise History of Bolivia

By Herbert S. Klein

Explains cultural blending that shaped the Diablada tradition.

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Book

The Rough Guide to Bolivia 2

By Rough Guides

First published 2008. Subjects: Nonfiction, Travel.

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Browse more on Amazon:The Rough to Bolivia booksOpen Veins of Latin AmericaA Concise History of Bolivia

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Endnotes

1. Source: ich.unesco.org
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/carnival-of-oruro-00003

2. Source: ich.unesco.org
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/projects/action-plan-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-oruro-carnival-00010

3. Source: ich.unesco.org
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en-state/bolivia-plurinational-state-of-BO?info=activities-with-the-patronage

4. Source: newsus.cgtn.com
Link:https://newsus.cgtn.com/news/2022-02-27/Bolivia-s-miners-celebrate-as-Oruro-Carnival-begins–17YMaRMFU6k/index.html

5. Source: unesco.org
Title: the Oruro Carnival | Intangible Heritage
Link:https://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/document-616

Published: May 15, 2010

6. Source: neprajz.hu
Link:https://www.neprajz.hu/en/gyujtemenyek/artefact-of-the-month/2025_01_oruro-carnival-costumes.html

7. Source: latindiscoveries.com
Title: Oruro Festival Travel Guide
Link:https://www.latindiscoveries.com/blog/14-bolivia/151-festivals-oruro

8. Source: rutaverdebolivia.com
Title: Bolivia’s Carnival in Oruro
Link:https://www.rutaverdebolivia.com/bolivia-carnival-oruro/

9. Source: Wikipedia
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diablada

10. Source: traditionculture.art
Link:https://traditionculture.art/diablada-ancestral-dance-of-light-and-shadow/

11. Source: lammuseum.wfu.edu
Title: Timothy S
Link:https://lammuseum.wfu.edu/2020/05/bolivia-make-a-carnival-mask/

12. Source: masksoftheworld.com
Title: part 1 bolivias hidden treasure the mask museum experience
Link:https://masksoftheworld.com/blog/part-1-bolivias-hidden-treasure-the-mask-museum-experience/

13. Source: ich.unesco.org
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/state/bolivia-plurinational-state-of-BO

14. Source: trans-americas.com
Title: carnaval de oruro bolivia travel
Link:https://trans-americas.com/carnaval-de-oruro-bolivia-travel/

15. Source: unesco.org
Title: Carnival of Oruro
Link:https://www.unesco.org/tich4sd/en/bolivia/diablada

16. Source: aracari.com
Title: at the oruro carnival bolivia
Link:https://www.aracari.com/blog/luxury-travel-peru/at-the-oruro-carnival-bolivia/

17. Source: Wikipedia
Title: Carnaval de Oruro
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnaval_de_Oruro

18. Source: youtube.com
Title: Bolivia: in the heat of the Oruro Carnival | FULL DOCUMENTARY
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBjziggd2tk

19. Source: allthingsbolivia.com
Title: oruro carnival bolivias unesco celebration of dance devotion and culture
Link:https://allthingsbolivia.com/2025/09/01/oruro-carnival-bolivias-unesco-celebration-of-dance-devotion-and-culture/

20. Source: revistapanorama.com
Title: Panorama de las Américas Bolivia: Devil Dances of Oruro
Link:https://revistapanorama.com/en/bolivia-devil-dances-of-oruro/

21. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbUD_YNVyuU

Additional References

22. Source: bolivianexpress.org
Link:https://bolivianexpress.org/storage/magazine-file/7_ujdqWg4v0C.pdf

23. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraRachko/posts/la-bas%C3%ADlica-menor-de-la-virgen-del-socav%C3%B3n-en-oruro-bolivia-the-place-where-the-/1417316893095010/

24. Source: alamy.com
Link:https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/oruro-carnival-mask.html

25. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/travelnoire/posts/carnaval-de-oruro-the-essential-guide-to-bolivias-unesco-listed-carnival/1357194836213371/

26. Source: jlinterviews.com
Link:https://www.jlinterviews.com/oruro-the-emblematic-carnival-that-attracts-celebrities-like-jude-law-and-is-a-unesco-intangible-cultural-heritage/

27. Source: touristmaker.com
Link:https://www.touristmaker.com/blog/dancing-with-devils-and-fire-the-magic-of-bolivias-oruro-carnival/

28. Source: scribd.com
Link:https://www.scribd.com/document/423293833/Carnival-In-Oruro-docx

29. Source: pilgrimaps.com
Title: chiru chiru and the pilgrimage to oruro
Link:https://www.pilgrimaps.com/chiru-chiru-and-the-pilgrimage-to-oruro/

30. Source: myvirtualworldtrip.com
Title: traditional dances of bolivia
Link:https://myvirtualworldtrip.com/2021/07/22/traditional-dances-of-bolivia/

31. Source: thevintagenews.com
Link:https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/05/05/carnaval-de-oruro-the-bolivias-biggest-carnival/

Published: May 5, 2017