The northern coast of Chile in a van
On our travels we came across huindreds of shrines called “animitas”. They mark the place where someone has died tragically, and so are commonly found along highways, railroad lines, and cliffs overlooking the ocean, etc. , but can also mark the place of a murder. The popular belief is that a part of the person’s soul remains at the site and is bound to do favors for the living. People ask for help and make a “manda” or promise to do something in return. These favors commonly include burning candles on specific days of the week, leaving flowers, tending the site, hanging plaques of thanks, and even leaving tokens of their appreciation.