El Tío

El Tío (The Uncle), is believed in Cerro Rico, Potosí, Bolivia to be the "Lord of the Underworld".

El Tío is believed to rule over the mines, simultaneously offering protection and destruction.

[1] Miners bring offerings such as cigarettes, coca leaves, and alcohol for the statues[2][3] and believe that if El Tío is not fed, he will take matters into his own hands.

Likewise, Christian symbolism is not allowed inside the mines, as this "Underworld" is seen as El Tío's realm.

[4] Every year, the Carnaval de Oruro is held, and costumes and statues of El Tío are paraded around in a ceremony that represents his defeat at the hands of the Archangel Michael.