Las Carantoñas

It is celebrated on January the 20th. This party counts on specific characteristic and characters which combines catholic tradition and pagan elements. The striking costumes are full of symbolism and mystery.

The origin of this celebration is based on the San Sebastian's legend. He was a Roman soldier who was judged and condemned to affirm his Chritians beliefs.

After being tortured he was thrown to wild animals (symbolized by the carantoñas), however, these wild animals were hanging around his body without attacking him, by this way they showed their respect to this Saint.

San Sebastián feast begins the day before, January 19th, when the mayordomo (the person in charge of the celebration) and his family go to the country in order to pick up rosemary. When they come back are welcomed by the inhabitants which peal the bells and launch fireworks.

This day a drummer stroll over the village of Acehuche, with the sound of the drumm, he reminds the inhabitants the begining of the feast when the Alborá, sound of a drumm early in the January 20th morning, and the carantoñas are woken up. Men used to cover their bodies withs masks and furs, and carry a rosemary branch. When everybody is awaken the go to mayordomo's house where they have breakfast made of crumbs and coffee.

After the breakfast, people come back home in order to dress up, meanwhile the mayordomo and his family distribute the rosemary among the people.

When the procession takes place tiraores, young people who shoot into the air making din, come into play. They are accompanied with the regaoras, girls dressed up in typical costumes who throw confetti. The begining of the parade is one of the key moments.

When the saint goes out the street the tiraores and regadoras position themselves in a passage while they throw the confetti, shoot into the air, and salutes the image. The carantoñas place in pair in front of San Sebastian bowing and pronouncing the misterous GU.

The parade takes place along the streets until the arrive at mayordomo's house, there a member of the family say the loa, give thanks, to the saint. And the go on with the parade until the Vaca Tora, a carantoña with horns frightens the rest. This is the end of this enigmatic feast.

Photos at Flickr.com

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