The Day of the Skull takes place every year in Bolivia on November 8.
Skulls are decorated and taken to a cemetery in La Paz a week after All Saints Day.
The skulls are cared for by the faithful who believe they give them protection.
Some skulls are handed down through generations but many are taken from abandoned graves.
The human skulls or ‘natitas’ are displayed outside the Cementario General chapel in La Paz, Bolivia.
They are surrounded by offerings of coca leaves, flower petals and cigarettes.
Many of the human skulls on show are kept in people’s houses during the year, and dusted off for the big day.
They receive blessings and are decorated with offerings.
When not written on the pictures, images of skulls by Paul Koudounaris.
Showing these skulls is such a cool ritual… But still a bit creepy, isn’t it?
