Photos: Takanakuy ritual fighting in Peru
July 30, 2013
Masked fighter Eber Sabina, right, gets help to wrap his hand before taking part in a Takanakuy ritual fight in Lima, Peru. In Peru, it has long been practiced in the highlands province of Chumbivilcas near Cuzco. More recently, it has spread to outlying neighborhoods of Lima. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) ( Peru Ritual Fighting Photo Gallery )
Participants of the Takanakuy fighting ritual dance before the start of the event in Lima, Peru. The Andean fight known as Takanakuy are preceding with traditional dancing and music. During the fights, women sing "huaylia" music with lyrics in Quechua that include such lines as "Child, fear not when rivers of blood flow." (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) ( Peru Ritual Fighting Photo Gallery )
Masked fighter Eber Sabina, center, is helped by friends with his outfit before entering a Takanakuy ritual fight in Lima, Peru. The fighters dress up in costumes of Andean folklore figures, with the ski masks an integral part of the costume. Among the characters: "El Negro," representative of black slaves; "El Majeno," reminiscent of liquor salesmen from a region called Majes; and "El Gallo," the rooster. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) ( Peru Ritual Fighting Photo Gallery )
Eber Sabina, right, and Sebastiano Mendoza take punches during a Takanakuy ritual fight in Lima, Peru. It is a relative of a custom that people in the highlands of neighboring Bolivia call Tinku. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) ( Peru Ritual Fighting Photo Gallery )
Dionisio Colquemarca prepares to fight in a Takanakuy ritual fight in Lima, Peru. Often with faces swollen and bloodied, the fighters shake hands or hug and deem their personal dispute settled. Or else they agree to do battle again next year. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) ( Peru Ritual Fighting Photo Gallery )
Masked fighter Alejandro Alvaro wears his costume before taking part in an Andean fight known as Takanakuy in Lima, Peru. Takanakuy, which means "When the blood is boiling" in Quechua, is a ritual of unclear providence that predates Spanish colonial rule and happens twice a year, in July and just after Christmas, to settle scores. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) ( APTOPIX Peru Ritual Fighting Photo Gallery )
Clementina Yaguno, center, is comforted by her son Romario Atauquri, left, after he fought in a Takanakuy ritual fight in Lima, Peru. The Andean fight known as Takanakuy is a ritual of unclear providence that predates Spanish colonial rule and happens twice a year, in July and just after Christmas. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) ( Peru Ritual Fighting Photo Gallery )
Eloy Luna, left, and Rony Garate fight during a Takanakuy ritual fight in Lima, Peru. When the brightly hued ski masks come off, the punching and kicking begin. Only once a judge has ruled one of the combatants licked do they stop fighting. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) ( Peru Ritual Fighting Photo Gallery )
Masked fighter Daniel Flores poses for a portrait before taking part in a Takanakuy ritual fight in Lima, Peru. The fighters dress up in costumes of Andean folklore figures, with the ski masks an integral part of the costume. Among the characters: "El Negro," representative of black slaves; "El Majeno," reminiscent of liquor salesmen from a region called Majes; and "El Gallo," the rooster. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) ( Peru Ritual Fighting Photo Gallery )
Jose Vera, left, puts ice over the eye of his brother Rolando Vera who participated in a Takanakuy ritual fight in Lima, Peru. Often with faces swollen and bloodied, the fighters shake hands or hug and deem their personal dispute settled. Or else they agree to do battle again next year. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) ( Peru Ritual Fighting Photo Gallery )
Inelda Flores, right, and Sandra Palermo take part in a Takanakuy ritual fight in Lima, Peru. It's not just adult males who fight. Women and children with scores to settle also battle it out. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) ( Peru Ritual Fighting Photo Gallery )
Dancer Matilde Campo, center, is helped with her hair by members of her folkloric dance group before the beginning of Takanakuy ritual fighting in Lima, Peru. The Andean fight known as Takanakuy are preceding with traditional dancing and music. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro) ( Peru Ritual Fighting Photo Gallery )
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