A Guide to Ecuadorian Celebrations: New Year & Mama Negra

New Year Celebrations in Ecuador

Ecuador's New Year celebrations are a unique and vibrant affair. Beginning with the Day of the Innocents and extending until New Year's Eve, the festivities are full of tradition and revelry.

One striking custom involves families burning effigies resembling humanoid monkeys with the faces of famous people. This act symbolizes the passing of the old year.

Another tradition sees men dressing up as the "widows of the old year." These playful figures dance and playfully accost passing cars, demanding a "toll" that inevitably fuels the merriment with more alcohol. If you plan to drive through the streets of Quito on New Year's Eve, be prepared to part with plenty of coins, or these "widows" might just delay your journey longer than anticipated.

News and Current Events

The global news cycle is abuzz with the election of the new president of the United States. Meanwhile, national news in Ecuador centers around the upcoming weekend elections and their potential impact on the country's future. In the realm of technology, daily news highlights the latest advancements in cell phones. Additionally, promising new developments in medicine, particularly in cancer research, offer hope for a cure.

The Mama Negra: A Celebration of Culture and Gratitude

La Mama Negra is a vibrant celebration held in Latacunga, Ecuador. This festival, also known as Santísima Tragedia, is a captivating blend of indigenous, Spanish, and African cultures.

The Mama Negra unfolds as a magical ceremony, a tapestry woven from the lives and traditions of diverse peoples. It exemplifies how the fusion of cultural expressions can create something far more beautiful and enriching than any single culture could achieve alone. At its heart, the festival is a tribute to the Virgen de la Merced, expressing profound gratitude for her blessings.

Two Occasions for Celebration

The Mama Negra festivities grace Latacunga twice a year:

• September: The first celebration takes place in September, organized by the vivanderas (market vendors), devotees, and benefactors of the La Merced and Salto markets. This act of faith honors the Virgen de la Merced for her believed intervention in quelling the fury of the Cotopaxi volcano during its eruption in 1742. In gratitude, the people of Latacunga proclaimed her the "Lawyer and Employer of the volcano."
• First Week of November: The second celebration unfolds during the first week of November. This joyous occasion marks the anniversary of Latacunga's independence. The city comes alive with a parade featuring a colorful cast of characters, including military figures, civilians, religious leaders, and mythical beings. Each participant is carefully chosen based on their contributions and actions throughout the year, adding to the parade's splendor.