What is Parrandas?
Parrandas are a traditional carnival-like street parties with origins date back to the 19th century. They take place in northern and central cities of the former Las Villas province (now divided into Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus and Ciego de Ávila provinces) in Cuba.
What happens during Las Parrandas?
The date the festival is held is about the only thing that it has in common with a normal Christmas party. The celebration happens every night for a week. There are conga groups playing in the street, rumba dance parades, big colourful floats, and one of the most explosive firework shows you will ever see.
What is remedy Parranda?
Christmas time, as we know it, is a time of peace and quiet. A time to gather and celebrate, to rest and reboot.
Why do they celebrate Parrandas?
A parranda (English: party or spree) is a Puerto Rican music tradition that takes place in Puerto Rico during the Christmas holiday season. Parrandas are social events that feature traditional Puerto Rican music, food, and drinks. They are associated with pride for the customs of the traditional Puerto Rican jíbaro.
Where is Parrandas celebrated?
Cuba
Held for the first time in 1820 in the town of Remedios, the Festivity of Las Parrandas is now celebrated by eighteen communities in the centre of Cuba, mostly taking place towards the final months of the year.
What are Vejigante masks?
In Loíza, the vejigante masks are made from coconut, whose cortex has been carved out to allow a human face. The eyes and mouth are carved out of the coconut with an addition of bamboo teeth. The costume is made of “a jumper” that has a lot of extra fabric at the arms to simulate wings.
Where did Las Parrandas originate?
Known as Las Parrandas, the carnival-like festival originated in Remedios, one of the country’s oldest cities. In 1820, as the story goes, a young priest noticed diminished attendance at mass from December 16 until Christmas.
How long do Parrandas last?
Here is a video of a real Parranda. They’ll gather together outside of the home they are going to sing at and yell “asalto!” (literally translated assault) and start to play instruments and sing. Each one usually lasts about an hour, or even two.
What is the purpose of a vejigante?
The vejigante is the person in costume who carries a vejiga (cow bladder) gigante (giant). The cow bladder is inflated and dried in the sun, then filled with seeds or beans and the vejiga is used by the vejigante as a “weapon” during the parades and celebrations, as they playfully bop people with the rattle.
What is the significance of Puerto Rico vejigante masks?
The vejigante is a demon figure from medieval Spanish folklore that has become a staple of Puerto Rican Carnival culture. During Carnival festivals, the vejigante dress in a horned mask called a careta, and flowing costume to join the crowds in singing and dancing. The careta masks are a cultural symbol of Puerto Rico.
What time of day are Parrandas usually done?
The parrandas usually begin after 10pm in order to surprise and wake the sleeping friend. The parranderos are invited in and refreshments, music and dance follow.
Are vejigantes evil?
The vejigante represented the evil Moors who were defeated by St. In the 17th century the vejigantes began to more generally represent good v. evil. In Puerto Rico, the Taino culture is also a part of the festival, and the vejigantes are heavily influenced by music, more specifically bomba and plena.
