CARNAVAL de PONCE - Puerto Rico, USA
During the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, the city of Ponce celebrates Carnaval. The Carnaval de Ponce is the most celebrated and colorful festival in Puerto Rico. It's also one of the oldest, dating back to the 1700s.
A traditional carnival characters are masked figures called Vejigantes. The Vegijantes are a blend of African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences in Caribbean culture. The Vejigantes carry "vejigas", inflated animal bladders that are painted bright colors and filled with pebbles. The vejigas are used to chase unsuspecting children and beat away any lingering evil spirits.
The Vejigantes also dance to the African rhythms of bomba y plena music and leadthe crowds in estribillos or call-and-response chants:
CALL |
RESPONSE |
Toco, toco, toco, toco |
Vejigante come coco |
Pan y cebolla |
Vejigante a la bolla |
Lari oh, lari oh |
Lari oh, lari oh |
Lari, lari, lari, oh |
Lari, lari, lari, oh |
Pru cu tá, Pru cu tá |
Y bueno que está |
Esa vieja es bruja |
Bruja es |
Y tiene los ojos |
Color café |
The festival ends with the Entierro de la Sardina, or "Burial of the Sardine" This mock funeral, complete with dummy-laden coffin, is in honor of the coming season of lent. The Coffin and dummy are set on fire, to symbolize the burning away of the sins of the flesh.
RESOURCES
Vejigantes activities from the National Museum of American History
Make a Vejigante mask
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