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Discover the traditional Portuguese carnival of Podence, World Heritage by Unesco
Macedo de Cavaleiros, Bragança, Portugal
If you’re visiting Portugal during Carnival season, you’ll want to take part in the many celebrations across the country; but the most authentic one to seek out is the Caretos Festival, in the ancient village of Podence, considered one of the most important traditional events of northern Portugal. The strong participation of the local community that has managed to preserve this tradition for centuries and its current importance in the region's cultural events were crucial factors for UNESCO to classify the Carnival of Podence as Intangible World Heritage. It is one of Portugal's oldest and wildest local traditions, a ritual where profane masquerade figures run through the streets causing mischief.
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Caretos are masked young men dressed in colourful wool costumes and wearing brass, leather or wooden masks and rattles on their belts
wielding a large stick, who roam the streets of villages in Podence during Carnival
Macedo de Cavaleiros, Bragança, Portugal
Originally the Caretos were linked with the figure of the "devil on the loose" and represented the excesses, euphoria and joy allowed at this time of the year, after the cold winter months, while also celebrating the fertility of the approaching spring.
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One of the main reasons for this running around is to find girls to dance with and "rattle" them😂
Macedo de Cavaleiros, Bragança, Portugal
The tradition still continues today: from Domingo Gordo ("Fat Sunday") to Shrove Tuesday, in the village boys personify the mysterious characters and, full of energy that they believe is transmitted by mask, they run around the village jumping and shouting. One of the main reasons for this running around is to find girls to dance with and "rattle" them. And so they have a great time, protected by anonymity 😉.
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Macedo de Cavaleiros, Bragança, Portugal
The group also includes children dressed as caretos, known as facanitos, who follow and copy their elders, learning from them and ensuring the continuity of the Entrudo Chocalheiro ("rattling carnival").
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On Shrove Tuesday, all the village gather for the Queima do Entrudo ("burning the wicker man"), which signals the end of the festival
Macedo de Cavaleiros, Bragança, Portugal
Among the most important moments of the Carnival of Podence, we must mention the fictitious weddings, on the Sunday, a fun event when the people chosen have no chance to complain and, on Shrove Tuesday, the parade through the village and the Queima do Entrudo ("burning the wicker man"), which signals the end of the festival.
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Macedo de Cavaleiros, Bragança, Portugal
This parade culminates on Shrove Tuesday. As part of this ancient ritual, the caretos, each of them carrying a torch, surround a giant careto effigy made out of wood and set it ablaze, sending sparks into the night sky.
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And that´s a wrap 😊 If you would like to know more about this colourful and exciting tradition, visit our website and check the video 😉
Macedo de Cavaleiros, Bragança, Portugal