Ekeko: The Deity Of Abundance And Prosperity

In this Jan. 24, 2014 photo, Dina Torrez holds a miniature store during the Alasitas fair in downtown La Paz, Bolivia. "Alasitas" is an Aymaran word that means "buy me," and is the name of the annual fair where people buy miniature items that represent things they hope to attain within the year. The fair's central character is the Ekeko, revered as the god of prosperity. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

In this Jan. 24, 2014 photo, an Aymara Indian spiritual guide blesses a miniature home for Virginia Fernandez during the Alasitas fair in downtown La Paz, Bolivia. "Alasitas" is an Aymara word that means "buy me," and is the name of the annual fair. Here people buy miniature figurines of items they hope to attain within the year. Fernandez also bought a miniature car. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

In this Jan. 24, 2014 photo, Gladys Calle carries a statues of Ekeko, revered as the god of prosperity, which she bought for her mother during the Alasitas fair in downtown La Paz, Bolivia. Here people bring their small Ekeko statues, which cannot be bought for oneself but given as a gift to another, for a blessing from Aymara Indian spiritual guides, and buy miniature figurines of items they hope to attain within the year, such as jobs, homes, money, cars and professional titles. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

In this Jan. 24, 2014 photo, Jhonny Cruz carries his statue of an Ekeko, revered as the god of prosperity, during the Alasitas fair in downtown La Paz, Bolivia. "Alasitas" is an Aymara word that means "buy me," and is the name of the annual fair. Here people bring their small Ekeko statues, which cannot be bought for oneself but given as a gift to another, for a blessing from Aymara Indian spiritual guides. They also buy miniature figurines of items they hope to attain within the year, such as jobs, homes, money, cars and professional titles. Cruz said he has faith in the Ekeko because it has brought him employment and cars. This year he bought miniature items that represent silver. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

In this Jan. 24, 2014 photo, people spray alcohol on a large statue of Ekeko, revered as the god of prosperity, during the Alasitas fair in downtown La Paz, Bolivia. "Alasitas" is an Aymara word that means "buy me," and is the name of the annual fair. Here people bring their small Ekeko statues, which cannot be bought for oneself but given as a gift to another, for a blessing from Aymara Indian spiritual guides. They also buy miniature figurines of items they hope to attain within the year, such as jobs, homes, money, cars and professional titles. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

In this Jan. 24, 2014 photo, miniature cars sit on top of miniature fake money at the Alasitas fair in downtown La Paz, Bolivia. "Alasitas" is an Aymara word that means "buy me," and is the name of the annual fair where people buy miniature items that represent things they hope to attain within the year, like jobs, homes, money, cars, professional titles, and food. The fair's central character is the Ekeko, revered as the god of prosperity. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

In this Jan. 24, 2014 photo, a vendor sells miniatures pastries at the Alasitas fair in downtown La Paz, Bolivia. "Alasitas" is an Aymara word that means "buy me," and is the name of the annual fair. Here people buy miniature figurines of items they hope to attain within the year, such as jobs, homes, money, cars and professional titles. The fair's central character is the Ekeko, revered as the god of prosperity. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)