Chutillos Festivity, Potosi

In Potosí, Festivity of San Bartolomé or the Ch'utillos local celebration since the colonial epoch.

In the city of Potosí, approximately from 1589 it spreads the myth that San Bartolomé fought against the demon, winning the battle. For a long time people began to surrender cult to San Bartolomé, being born this way the festivity.

The Festivity of the Ch'utillos is a legend before the Columbus time when the "Collas" made tradition and with the Jesuits became a religious-pagan party. According with the history the Jesuits that lived in that time in Potosí had assumed the religious leadership. They spread the news that devil had hidden in a gulch called "The Door" - 7 kilometers far away from Potosí - and it was said that any person or animal that it happened over there died. The Cantumarca natives began to adore that wicked being, surrendering him cult in exchange for favours and they were convinced that in that cave the demon inhabited. Then with the religious and Spaniards help and influence they enthroned San Bartolomé`s image and spread the rumour that Saint Bartolomé win to Satan.

The myth is born this way and the festivity takes place in "La Puerta" town the days 26 and 27 of August, but many potosinian people begins to celebrate it from the beginning of the month.

In this festivity thousands of people and devote accompanied by bands of typical music, they dance to the caporales, morenadas, diabladas and tinkus rhythm, showing the variety in a cultural and folkloric wealth in Bolivia. In this festivity it is also exhibited fine silversmiths and other potosinian crafts, also the famous potosinos candy, typical foods and delicious handmade ice creams.

The Entrance of Ch`utillos gets the attention of national and foreign tourists, for its characteristics, history and mainly to be carried out in the Potosí city, the most important Bolivian city in the colonial time that still guard in its streets, big rambling house and its people the magnificence of the time.