Carnival in Venezuela
El Carnival Festival in Venezuela is celebrated in the months of February and March based on the traditional calendar. The date can always change since the liturgical calendar is ruled by the lunar cycle, and it occurs at the same time as the beginning of the Christian Lent.
Years ago, the Catholic religion in Italy originally created the tradition of holding extreme costume festivals right before the day of Lent. El Carnival is a movement of happiness and excitement and dates back to ancient civilizations that celebrated agrarian cycles and carnestolendas, the period that includes the three days prior to Ash Wednesday, the day on which Lent begins.
Traces of the carnival celebration can also be found in the Bacchanalia, Saturnalia, Lupercal, and in the Middle East. This year’s Carnival Festival will be celebrated Monday, February 28th and Tuesday, March 1st.
Carnival’s Origins
Carnival in Venezuela is derived from Christianity. During ancient times, the celebration focused on indulgence and carnal satisfaction. With time, the emphasis of the celebration changed, but the rhythms of music and the colorful costumes persisted.
During colonial times, the carnival consisted of physical games where men and women danced in the streets showing what was described as immoral gestures. In the 18th century, the Bishop of Caracas, Diez Madroñero, transformed the celebration into three days of prayers, rosaries and parades.
As years went by, Mayor José Abalos, gave the carnival its original meaning and emphasized purified components. Those who would witness the parades would receive candies, floats, and be encouraged to take part in it as a way to remove the violence that was prevalent in the past.
Traditions of the carnival festival consist of meat festivals in Puerto Cabello, parades, treats, floats, participation in marches in Barquisimeto. King momo festivities in Maturín, Bullfighting Carnival of America in Mérida, Callao festivities in the Bolivar State, and costume parties in the state of Zulia.
The Carnival Festival has transformed into a Venezulean tradition, and depending on the ruler of the moment, the festival displays unique touches during the celebration. It is said that there were specific moments in Venenzuelan history when the festival was at its finest. Some people think in the time of Guzmán Blanco, for others it was in the time of Gómez. Other Venenzuelan people say that the carnival during the fifties and twentieth century was one to remember, during the regime of Pérez Jiménez.
The Carnival in Venezuela has extended beyond Caracas and is a musical expression that was declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Carnival of El Callao is the largest carnival in Venezuela that lasts four days. The locals combine many traditions into the carnival, those being Venezuelan traditions mixed with those of Trinidad, the West Indies, and the French West Indies.
The African Culture and influence in El Callao is based on the Africans who were brought by the European explorers during the colonial era. The first official parade was held in El Callao in 1914. The people wore extravagant costumes while dancing to Calypso music of Trinidad and Tobago through the local streets of El Callao.
The Madamas are the most respected festivities and characters in the carnival. They have colorful outfits with lace bottoms and colorful turbans. In their skirts, they have a bow that collects the skirts together, and if she is single, then two bows on both sides.
They tell the stories of the ladies who were brought to work as teachers, to teach English and French. The Medio Pintos are painted in ground coal from head to toe, paper and water. This is applied to tourists and visitors.
The personality of the Medio Pintos is witty and humorous. The Devils of El Callao represent the magical and religious part of the festival. They wear white, red, black, and yellow. They also cover their heads with huge masks threatening faces, making dancers dance with them.
Carnival in Carúpano, a port city on the Caribbean coast, located in Sucre State. Carúpano has celebrated carnival since 1873. The popular joyous festivity lasted four days, having more than 400,000 people attend. In the beginning of the festival, it starts with a “carnival cry” and ends with eye-catching fireworks on Tuesday night.
The festival showcases parades, floats, old cars, steel drums, music, vibrant costumes, orchestras, and the character of Diablo Luis. In the celebration, a carnival queen and mini queen are chosen. The Sun Fair in Mérida is celebrated during the carnival days. Before the days of the festivities, the queen of the sun is chosen in a contest. The fair’s origin comes from the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception.
The Maturín Carnivals and Election of King Momo has been celebrated since the 1940s. Families, communities, and institutions come together to share this celebration. Under the election of the king and queen, more than 200 thousand people parade down Bolívar with floats, costumes, and troops.
Rhythms of African, European, Caribbean, Carioca, Afro-American, Salsa, Merengue, Calypso, and Samba are heard. In addition, you will be able to notice the Brazilian influence is costume design with modern tweaks and oriental touches, such as, Guarandol bird, the Carite, the Burriquita, and the Chiriguare.
Director of Future Journalist ProgramVanessa Campa | Florida International University
Vanessa Campa is a recent graduate from Florida International University holding a Bachelor of Arts in English on the Writing and Rhetoric track, and a minor in Psychology. Through working for the Latina Republic as a Latin Correspondent, Vanessa has gained a true love and passion for reporting underreported stories in the region. Discovering underreported stories that will inspire her readers, she has specialized in interviewing and writing articles on outstanding Latinx women who have made an impact in their communities, especially immigrants. As a Director of the Future Journalist Program for the Latina Republic, Vanessa will continue carrying the organizations’ mission in changing stereotypes that have negatively impacted the people within the region, and bringing light to another side of Latin America that is concealed.
