The annual Takanakuy festival in Peru brought
together hundreds of costumed competitors
to participate in the traditional fighting
ritual.
The mass brawl took place on Sunday, aimed
at settling old scores before the year's end.
It serves as a form of community justice to
quell simmering disputes between residents,
allowing people to start the new year in peace.
The contestants, men, women and even children,
many donning colourful face masks and Andean
horse-riding gear, greeted each other with
handshakes and hugs before lunging into battle.
Judges and referees were on hand to declare
the winners in fights stemming from legal
matters to stolen lovers.
The confrontations are supervised by local
authorities and referees mediate the bare-knuckled,
free-kicking brawls.
