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The town of La Quebrada celebrates Santa Efigenia, an adored black saint, in some unusual ways

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People carry the statue of Santa Efigenia during a procession in La Quebrada, Peru, in late September. Every year, Peruvians descended from African slaves come to La Quebrada to celebrate the adored black saint, the only African saint venerated in Peru.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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People watch a cat race, part of the festivities in honor of Santa Efigenia.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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The statue of Santa Efigenia wears a crown and earrings. A chapel was built in La Quebrada in the 18th century dedicated to Santa Efigenia, who was popular among the then Spanish colony's African slaves.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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After a night of festivities, people sleep on the side of the street.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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A man dances ‘la Vaca Loca’ or ‘the Crazy Cow’ during festivities.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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Girls wait to perform a traditional Afro-Peruvian dance wait for the election of the town's beauty queen during the festivities.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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A woman holds her cat before entering it in a race.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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Villagers gather in a bar. Cat races, a fireworks dance and a night of eating and drinking close out the celebration.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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Villagers sit on corn husks while being pulled by mules. The celebrations attract people from across Peru.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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Norma Vargas Portillo, right, and Milagros Gallardo walk hand in hand in before performing during the festivities.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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Patricia Lopez, left, prepares the statue of Santa Efigenia for a procession.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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People carry the statue of Santa Efigenia through La Quebrada.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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A woman watches the procession go by.Rodrigo Abd/The Associated Press

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