Amazing costumes of the Pagan-Christian festival <br />
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In Peru, every July,  Paucartambo, a remote white-washed town, nestling at 10,000 feet up in the Andes, hosts one of the biggest festivals in South America.<br />
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This Pagan-Christian festival celebrates The Earth Mother, Patron Saint of the Mestizo, a half-caste group - part European, part AmerIndian -  who reached Paucartamo during the 17th century.<br />
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For three days, The Earth Mother is carried around the town, protected by rival mythical birds and animals who scale the roof-tops enacting a story of  struggles and miracles.<br />
Many of these wear feathered head-dresses for during the 17th century feathers were considered more valuable than gold. it’s a wild, noisy and drunken celebration!<br />
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Mythical birds and animals enact a story of struggles and miracles<br />
Paucartambo Festival, Peru<br />
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