Cangahua Festival - 2009

All photos are clickable

The Summer Solstice festival (AKA the Festival of San Pedro according to the Catholic church) lasts for approximtely 10 days. Everyone comes from miles around to celebrate (from as far away as Quito). Most elderly Ecuadorian women wear traditional dress. Some men where a modified type of cowboy chaps. Others dress up as the Inca sun god *Inti) and wear a mask with a face on two sides. That is so the person can always be facing the sun -- they believe it is disrespectful to turn one's back on a god.

The town square in alive with music, street vendors, and dancing. This is a family affair during the afternoon until about 9 pm. The party continues until aobut 4 am each morning. The band plays the same refrain over and over again... The quality of their music does not improve with time.

I danced with the local Ecuadorian men following their own tradition -- with one hand carrying a bottle of beer. It foamed and made a terrible mess (NOTE TO SELF: Don't drink and dance). Another popular drink was chicha. It is about 150 proof, served hot and is made with human spit. I was neither brave enough nor cold enough to try it.

Dancing
Girls Dancing
    
Dancing
Girls Dancing
    
Dancing
Boys Dancing
    
Dancing
Costumes
    
Dancing
Donkey Rider
    
Band
The Band
    
Dancing
Street Vendors
    
Dancing
Parade
    
Dancing
Parade
    
©2009-2011 Sandy Schreyer