The Uquía devils - 2026

Its February 14th and the Carnival is waking up in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, after a long year buried under the mojón de Uquía.

The day is begining and people are taking their places in front of the hill, passed the dry river. At the ceremonial cairn, Pachamama is venerated with offerings of food, tobacco, flour, wine and water. Without water there is no life in the valley.

Out in the sun, people eat, drink, have fun and wait for the afternoon. Many are already tipsy, even when there is still hours before the devils come down.

Before the sun sets, atop de hill appear de devils and with them the joy of the people below. Its time to come down and dig out the carnival from under the cairn.