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Monday, February 18, 2008
Carnival festivities are one of the many manifestations of syncretism involved in Ecuadorian traditions and celebrations. The word “carnival” comes from the Italian “carn-aval”, which means absence of meat. According to the Catholic calendar, the festivities precede the period of Lent. The origin of the Carnival festivity is to compensate for the following forty days of abstention and penitence in preparation for the remembrance of Christ's crucifixion. This is a time of celebration without restraint all over the world, and Ecuador is not an exception. Many popular festivals are held throughout the country. It is a time of masks, jokes, water, music and dances. In Ecuador, the celebrations have a history that stretches further than the arrival of Catholicism. It is known, for example, that the Huarangas Indians (from the Chimbos nation) used to celebrate the second moon of the year with a lively festivity, during which they threw flour, flowers and perfumed water. Now this pagan tradition has merged with the Catholic belief of “carnaval” and resulted in a most folkloric celebration.
All throughout the country, “diablillos” (little devils) play with water. It is a somewhat crazy game, like snow fights, which is long awaited, especially by children and teenagers, and feared by some adults. Throwing water balloons, sometimes even eggs and flour both to friends and strangers passing by the street can be a lot of fun but can also be annoying. Although the government as well as school authorities have forbidden this game, it is still widely practiced throughout the country. Historians tell of a Bishop back in 1867 that threatened with the punishment of ex-communion for the sin of playing Carnival games.
Many popular festivities are held in different regions of the country, where the locals wear disguises with colorful masks and dance to the rhythm of lively music. Usually, the celebrations begin with the election of the Taita Carnaval (Father Carnaval) who will head the festivities and lead the parades in each city. The most famed carnival festivities are those in Guaranda (Bolivar province) and Ambato (Tungurahua province). In Ambato, the festivities are called “Fiesta de las Flores y las Frutas” (Festivities of the Flowers and Fruits). Other cities have also revived the carnival traditions with colorful parades; such is the case of Azogues (Cañar Province), where a lively parade will take place on Friday, February 16th. In Azogues and the Southern Andes in general, the “Taita Carnaval” is a Cañari Indian dressed for the celebrations.
Carnival is a holiday throughout the country. This year there will be a long weekend from Saturday, February 17th to Tuesday, February 20th. Many people from the main cities go to the beach or other tourist sites around the country.
