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The presence of Bolivia’s highest political authority at the Seà±or Jésus del Gran Poder Festival demonstrates the importance of fraternidades in this country. The large street performances, or Entradas Folkloricas, organized by these congregations, which can consist of several thousand members, are above all intended to promote their faith. They nevertheless play a role that goes well beyond the sphere of religious and cultural practices. Folklore has two roles: it is an identity-based means through which individuals categorize themselves in terms of shared socio-cultural traits; and it is a matter of growing political importance. By studying the festive practices associated with folklore, one may grasp an essential category of social life in Bolivia, that of the folklorista. Most members of the fraternidades fall under this category, which exists independently of the categorizations usually employed by political actors.