MAMA NEGRA
Mama Negra festival is held in Latacunga, located in the center of Ecuador, is one of the most beautiful and traditional celebrations in Ecuador and
it is a cultural phenomenon.
Mama Negra is indigenous, African and Hispanic and in this trilogy
is expressed the beauty of its people.
The feast is celebrated on two dates of important
significance:
• The first takes place in the month of September in honor of their Lady of
La Merced who appeased the fury of the Cotopaxi volcano eruption in 1742, for
this reason they proclaimed her like "lawyer of the volcano."
• The second is done in the first week of November, it is the party where
the habitants of Latacunga celebrates every year the anniversary of its
independence, is a fun parade of
popular characters that give joy to your celebration.
CHARACTERS
• Mama Negra: Is an Indian man dressed of woman with a black wig, red lips,
made - up entirely in black, that always parades on a beige horse.
His dress is red and wears a shawl embroidered with different colors, a mirror
cloth blouse, shoes and socks of vivid colors. The horse carry two black dolls
representing the children of Mama Negra, also in his arms carry the youngest
daughter.
The Angel of the Star, is dressed in white, with large wings on the back
and a crown on his head, a scepter is carried on his right hand and he is
riding in a white horse.
• The Camisonas: Another of the most comical characters of the troupe are
men that wear broad and transparent dresses in bright colors and wigs, in his
hands carry a whip.
among others.
ACTIVITIES:
In this celebration are performed some activities like dances, in the
morning takes place the traditional parade through the principal streets of
Latacunga, where you can see several things such as dances, and bands.
people also tasted the typical food of this place as Chugchucaras, cuy
asado, allullas and its special drink aguardiente better known as
"puntas".
And at night all the streets are full of dances, music and there are also
burning fireworks, people attending to this typical party spends an
unforgettable day.
