CNN/AP: Morales seeks blessing in Indian temple [View All]

[DeepModem Mom]

Morales seeks blessing in Indian temple
He'll ask Andean gods for guidance on the eve of his inauguration
Friday, January 20, 2006


TIAWANACU, Bolivia (AP) -- In the ancient temple of a lost civilization far from the Government Palace, a barefoot Evo Morales will ask Andean gods for help and guidance Saturday on the eve of his inauguration as Bolivia's first Indian president.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to converge on the archaeological remains of the Tiawanacu civilization that flourished around 5,000 B.C. near the shores of Lake Titicaca, 65 kilometers (40 miles) outside of La Paz.

There, Morales, a U.S. critic who won by a landslide on a leftist platform, will be blessed by Indian priests who consider themselves inheritors of this pre-Incan culture, which had no written language and disappeared mysteriously.

Morales will walk onto the Akapana pyramid, put on a red tunic with gold and black detail, and accept a baton from the priests that symbolizes his Indian leadership. Morales will then walk alone and barefoot into the Kalasasaya temple before coming out of the entrance to greet the crowd....

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During Sunday's official inauguration (in La Paz), Morales will follow a more modern tradition. He'll be saluted with full military honors outside the Congress, and draped with the bejeweled medals worn by all presidents....


http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/01/20/morales.temple.ap/index.html