Bolivia Carnival: Devils dance 'Diablada' on Oruro streets

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People in Bolivia are celebrating a religious carnival - with a history going back more than two centuries. Hundreds of thousands filled the streets, in the city of Oruro, joined by angels and demons. CGTN's Joel Richards has more.

This is the Diablada - the 'dance of devils.' It is perhaps the most emblematic of dances in the Oruro carnival in Bolivia. Here, one of this carnival's oldest groups, The Authentic Traditional Diablada, starts its three hour pilgrimage that will end with them on their knees, paying homage to the patron of Oruro, the Virgin del Socavon.

Leading the troop of devils is Jony Lopez, dressed as the Archangel San Miguel.

JONY LOPEZ 'ARCHANGEL SAN MIGUEL' "Through the Diablada and our dance we express and represent what is the struggle between good and bad."

This dance is the centerpiece of the Oruro carnival, combining indigenous religious ceremony with Spanish carnival and Catholic beliefs. Its cultural importance has even brought it official recognition by UNESCO.

Starting early Saturday morning, these brass bands provide the music and rhythm to this traditional dance as they march through the city.

JOEL RICHARDS ORURO, BOLIVIA "More than 50 groups take part in the Oruro carnival, bringing together tens of thousands of dancers. This is a unique carnival in Latin America, held in a city that sits at an altitude of over 37-hundred meters and whose costumes, dance and music evoke its indigenous and colonial past. People here spend months preparing for it."

JONY LOPEZ 'ARCHANGEL SAN MIGUEL' "The archangel was handed over to me by my father, and a cousin of his handed the role to him."

Lopez not only inherited his role as archangel, but also estimates that over 100 members of his extended family take part in this carnival. This includes his cousin who dances as a devil, and his cousin's wife who dances as a Bear. And this year their 14-year-old daughter also has a dancing role.

JONY LOPEZ 'ARCHANGEL SAN MIGUEL' "The group is known for keeping with its traditions. We have always kept the dance the same and we have not changed that, though other groups have, we have kept the same dance and choreography for over 100 years."

Lopez leads the Diablada in a suit that weighs over 30 kilos.

"The archangel goes first, showing its authority, directing the devils so that at the end they go into the church, and shows that he has won, that good overcomes everything."

After three hours dancing and marching in the heat, the Authentic Traditional Diablada reach their destination. At this church, they give thanks to their Patron, the Virgin del Socavon for watching over them. Overcome with emotion, they leave the church, to rest and prepare themselves. Carnival continues on Sunday. Joel Richards, CGTN, Oruro, Bolivia.