350 Andean couples wed in mass ceremony in Bolivia

Religious leaders presided over the wedding as did symbolically Pachamama - the earth deity of the Aymara and Quechua races of Bolivia’s highlands Indians.

Bolivia's President Evo Morales, bottom left, delivers a speech during a traditional Andean Indigenous mass wedding in La Paz, Bolivia, Saturday May 7, 2011. Some 350 couples participated in this event, having the possibility to choose the wedding godfather, according to an ancient tradition, who this time was Morales. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

About 350 couples in Bolivia have been married according to Indigenous customs and traditions in a colourful Andean mass wedding with President Evo Morales presiding as best man.

Saturday’s ceremony was held at a Colosseum in La Paz, the capital, which was adorned with large white flowers and indigenous banners. Several bands serenaded the couples.

Religious leaders presided over the wedding as did symbolically Pachamama - the earth deity of the Aymara and Quechua races of Bolivia’s highlands Indians.

And Mr. Morales gave a speech to the couples, who crowded the arena’s floor wearing multicolored native ponchos and hats.

Before the ceremony, each couple married in a civil ceremony.