December
8 December: day of the Virgin of KA AKUPE by David Galeano Olivera attend every year, since a long time, the Paraguayans on 8 December, until the city of Ka akupe venerate Inmaculada Concepcion, better known as the Virgin of Ka akupe. Without a doubt, it is the largest religious festivity of the Paraguay. Every year more than one million people congregate in the Basilica, located in the city of Ka akupe (about 54 kilometers from the city of Asuncion, Capital of Paraguay). People comes from across the country and even abroad in order to pay promises high to the Virgin Blue. The celebration starts with Novena which culminates in his day, December 8; and it continues with the eighth. During that time, the city of Ka akupe is filled with pilgrims. Indeed, the tradition makes every year thousands of people arrive pilgrimage to foot to Ka akupe. Some walk from Asuncion, others do it from Ypakarai or from the top of the hill located on the 48 kilometer.
Those coming from inside they have a habit of walking from the city of Coronel Oviedo or from the detour to Pirivevui. Many arrive in caravans of wagons and others on motorbikes or bicycles. The promeseros tend to dress in the colors of the Virgin: clothing and hat white and blue in colour. It is worth noting that the promises include everything: some arrive knees, from several kilometres, to the image of the Virgin; others arrive with any load on the head (bricks or stones); some do it carrying a heavy wooden cross. Anything goes when it comes to thank the Virgin Mary for favors received. In all the Paraguay, more than one guard in memory an anecdote of some miracle of the Virgin of Ka akupe. In the hours prior to December 8, is usually done a Serenade the Virgin with the presence of numerous artists.
