Paraguayans don fancy bird-feathered costumes in homage to this saint, here is why

The celebration in the municipality of Emboscada, some 25 miles (45 kilometers) northeast of the capital of Asuncion, paid tribute to St. Francis Solano, who was born in Spain in 1549 and died in Peru in 1610. He was canonized in 1726. (Photo | AP)

The modern-day tradition grew in popularity due to the work of Dominga Machuca, a villager who promoted the saint's image. (Photo | AP)

The feathers actually symbolize Guaicurú Indians who would attack smaller tribes and Spanish colonizers to prevent them from stealing their food and weapons. Since they were superstitious, the villagers disguised themselves as birds to scare them away, and that's how they stopped being bothered by them(Photo | AP)

Since they were superstitious, the villagers disguised themselves as birds to scare them away, and that's how they stopped being bothered by them. (Photo | AP)

Farmer Genaro Servin sits on a window ledge in his feathered costume during the feast of St. Francis Solano in Emboscada, Paraguay. (Photo | AP)