Introduction
Welcome to week two of my series, The Phases of Love. In the previous blog, I explored the Meaning of Love and its pivotal effects in our lives. As promised, today’s post will focus on the vibrant celebration of Carnival
Origins of Carnival
Origin: Who has never heard of this highly popular celebration? Although a highly popular celebration, its origins are often not well-known. Carnival began as a pagan celebration in the 3rd Century with the Roman Saturnalia, followed by the Greek Dionysian Festivals in the 500 BCE, where people honored their gods. Over time, Christian traditions shaped Carnival further, and during the Middle Ages (5th to 15th Centuries), it evolved into a celebration preceding Lent, a period of fasting and penance. Scholars believe the word “Carnival” is derived from the Latin phrase “carne levare,” which means “to remove meat,” aligning with the fasting practices associated with the 40 days of Lent.
Carnival Celebrations Around the World
Carnival celebrations around the world: While there are many worth mentioning Carnival Festivities around the world, I will tell you how we, Puerto Ricans, celebrate Carnival!
Carnival in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico: Carnival in Puerto Rico is an exciting event filled with music, dance, parades, and our famous “Vejigantes.” There is plenty to see and do during Feb 6 to 23, but dates and lengths vary by city. Traditionally, Carnival is celebrated before Ash Wednesday, though Vega Alta, for example, celebrates it from February 21-23.
The most renowned Carnival in Puerto Rico is held in Ponce, located on the southern coast. Because “Ponce es Ponce,” the town hosts two major celebrations:
Carnival of Vejigantes of Playa de Ponce
Carnival of Vejigantes of the “Playa de Ponce” (Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa): This weekend “Pre-Carnival” event centers around the Vejigantes. During the Vejigantes Parade, participants showcase their costumes and masks. The event takes place from February 6-8 at Lucy Grillasca Park.
Ponce Carnival (Carnaval Ponceño)
Ponce Carnival (Carnaval Ponceño): This is the oldest carnival on the island, dating back to 1856. This year marks its 168th anniversary, celebrated from February 12 to 17. The carnival is characterized by a variety of events and lively music.
Six Days of Celebration
Six Days of Celebration: Carnival in Ponce is celebrated over six days, each featuring unique events:
- Thursday: The Mask Ball (Gran Baile de Mascaras) signals the start of the festivities.
- Friday: Entrance of King Momo (Entrada del Rey Momo), a symbolic ruler of Carnival. Typically, it is a local celebrity whose identity will be kept secret until the last day.
- Saturday: Coronation Night for the Carnival Queens, followed by a parade.
- Sunday: Carnival Parade (Desfile de Carnaval), featuring Vejigantes, floats with the queens, other typical Carnival groups, and lively music.
- Monday: More partying continues.
- Tuesday: The famous Sardine Burial Parade (Desfile del Entierro de la Sardina). It is a farewell to the excessive partying of the previous days. A “Sardine,” symbolizing indulgence and revelry is adorned and placed inside an open coffin. During the mock funeral procession, participants wear costumes and carry the sardine to its burial site, concluding the celebrations with humor, satire, lively music, dance, and some sadness.
Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/Q9GiaPxyi7s?si=nMixzyaQWTa9oPKH (Video Credit: Emmanuel Melendez)
Curiosity Facts
Curiosity Facts: As odd as it might sound for some, Monday, Feb 16 and Tuesday, Feb 17 are National Carnival Holidays. On Ash Wednesday, life returns to normal for most, except those observing religious traditions.
The Vejigante: Carnival’s Main Character
Free Stock Photo from Heriberto Jahir (pexels.com)
“Vejigante”: The “Vejigante” is the central figure of Carnival. Historians believe the term “Vejigante” comes from the Spanish words “vejiga” (bladder) and “gigante” (giant), referencing to the use of cow bladders in mask-making in medieval Spain. Over time, the “Vejigante” evolved from a demon figure in Spain to an iconic folkloric character in Puerto Rican Carnival. “Vejigantes” wear costumes with bat-like wings and horned masks (“careta”). Traditionally, their colors were green, yellow, and red, or red and black, but today they feature many bright colors.
Vejigante Masks
“Vejigante” Masks: Although it all started as a brightly colored, blown cow bladder in Spain, the ones from Puerto Rico are made using different materials, which reflects our blend of Taino, Spaniard, and African traditions. The towns of Loiza and Ponce are internationally known for their mask-making skills, and many masks are even exhibited in renowned museums worldwide.
Loiza Masks
Loiza: In Loiza, masks are crafted from coconut shells, carved to fit a human face. Eyes and mouth openings are carved, and teeth are made from bamboo. Loiza is on the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico and is known for its African heritage and traditions like the “Bomba.” Famous mask maker Raúl Ayala is a famous mask maker. His masks are easily recognized for the buckteeth and three horns, continuing a family tradition of coconut shell mask-making.
Ponce Masks
Ponce: In contrast to the ones from Loiza, the ones from Ponce are made from papier-mâché and are notorious for their numerous horns. The traditional technique involves layering papier-mâché paste made from wheat flour and hot water over a mold. After drying, the masks are sanded and painted. Three notable mask makers from Ponce are Juan Alindato, Juan Alindato Jr., and Miguel Caraballo.
- Juan Alindato: His masks are famous for their vibrant colors and elaborate designs, featuring horns, elongated snouts, menacing teeth, devil-like features, and hundreds of painted dots. In 1987, Mr. Alindato received the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship (NEA) Award for his outstanding craftsmanship. This award is presented annually to recognize artists for their lifetime achievements in folk and traditional arts.
- Juan Alindato Jr.: Continues the family tradition, but with a twist. He adds animal motifs to his designs and involves his children in the craft. For him, the creative process is simple but time-consuming: tearing paper bags or newsprint, moistening them in glue, layering them over a greased mold, drying, cutting out features, and painting.
Image Credit: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
- Miguel Caraballo: Known for masks with long snouts and multiple horns, Caraballo uses traditional papier-mâché techniques, incorporating newspaper, kraft paper, and flour paste. His masks take about two weeks to make and are exhibited in institutions like the Museum of the Americas (Old San Juan, Puerto Rico) and the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of American Art (USA). (Image Credit: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution)
Conclusion
Carnival is a brief but lively season during which Puerto Ricans celebrate their cultural heritage, cuisine, and traditions. The artistry of mask-making has transformed the original European colorful, inflated cow bladder mask into a unique art form recognized around the world, with pieces displayed in famous museums.
Preview
Next week, I will share with you some interesting facts about Lent and St. Valentin, and how they are somewhat connected.
Our traditions and folklore in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean are very interesting and worthy of study so we can understand what we celebrate. Proud of your well-written article, Tannia! ❤️🇵🇷