Supernatural forces have been evoked in Venezuelan politics, as representatives of the country’s indigenous people held a ritual for ailing president Hugo Chavez, state media reported.
The ritual, held in Caracas, involved lighting a ‘sacred fire’, mass dancing and a prayer for presidential health, RIA Novosti reported citing Venezuelan state news agency AVN.
The fire was intended to collect ‘bad energies’ which were then to be disposed of by scattering the ashes over the river, said one of ritual’s co-organisers, an indigenous ‘wise woman’ identified as Betania.
Chavez, 58, continues his battle with cancer. He has already undergone extensive treatment, including four operations.
The ritual, held in Caracas, involved lighting a ‘sacred fire’, mass dancing and a prayer for presidential health, RIA Novosti reported citing Venezuelan state news agency AVN.
The fire was intended to collect ‘bad energies’ which were then to be disposed of by scattering the ashes over the river, said one of ritual’s co-organisers, an indigenous ‘wise woman’ identified as Betania.
Chavez, 58, continues his battle with cancer. He has already undergone extensive treatment, including four operations.