27 Dec 2021

El Tío and the Authenticity of Neo-Paganism


Neo-Paganism is usually assumed to be some LARPy middle class hipsters dressing up as Druids, carrying out some fake and over-elaborate, obviously concocted ceremony.

Needless to say, that is not real paganism, as there is almost nothing authentic about it, and there is no genuine faith in whatever Gods are mentioned or supposedly invoked. It is quite likely that true faith is not even possible in a modern society.

But, still, there is such a thing as Neo-Paganism. 

One example I can think of is El Tío, a deity worshipped, or at least respected, by the miners and others in the Potosi region of Bolivia. Although nominally Roman Catholic, these people hold El Tío in great respect as the "Lord of the underworld" and controller of all things under the ground. Not surprisingly his appearance is somewhat devil-like, but he is not the Devil, as he is invoked to bring good.


His name means simply "The Uncle," but there is a degree of sincerity in their attitudes towards him that is radically different from the practices of the LARPy "Neo-Pagan" in developed countries. This sincerity is partly generated by the fear of frequent cave-ins.

The practice of the miners in this region is to create effigies underground, and then leave offerings of alcohol, coca leaves, and cigarettes. In some areas it is said that they even sacrifice llamas, smearing their blood on the mouths of the caves as a holy offering to El Tío.

During Carnival celebrations, effigies of El Tío even appear above ground. Only then is he viewed as in any way like the Christian Devil, as effigies of the Archangel Michael are allowed to "vanquish" him and force him back to his realm, where he, not the Christian God, remains master.


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