Above the Law
by James Brunker
Title
Above the Law
Artist
James Brunker
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
The Natitas festival is one of Bolivia's weirdest and most fascinating. People who keep skulls (often of dead relatives) in their houses for protection and to bring good luck take them once a year to church (on November 8th, often churches connected with cemeteries) to hear mass, be blessed and receive offerings (coca leaves, cigarettes and alcohol are popular ones). Skulls are treated as family members and often dressed up in hats, sunglasses etc! This skull is actually of an ex policeman and is wearing an original Bolivian police hat; presumably dead policemen can also do a job keeping thieves and burglars away......!
Photograph © James Brunker. Reproduction, transmission or publication in any form without written permission strictly prohibited.
Uploaded
June 29th, 2012
Statistics
Viewed 1,180 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/16/2024 at 2:36 AM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
Similar Images
Comments (7)
Janie Johnson
Now this is definitely a photograph that is interesting and shocking at the same time and yet makes it worth looking at for the viewer. Good job
Joan Carroll
i agree william....strange that they let you shoot this. Although maybe not, if this is an accepted and revered custom. v
William Fields
Although the subject matter is disturbing, it is no less fascinating. Such a strange (to my sensibilities) custom. I'm surprised that the gentleman allowed you to shoot, or was it a telephoto shot? I have to tell my son about this. He, as so many younger people do, has an obsession with skulls. voted
Recently Viewed
