Inti Raymi Festival

The festival of Inti Raymi falls on June 24th in celebration of Wiracocha, the Incan sun god for the empire of Tawantinsuyu. Acted out by over 500 performers, it is one of the largest celebrations in South America and is located at Sacsayhuamán in Cusco. The celebration serves to commemorate the marriage between the Sun and the sons of the Sun, or in simple terms: humans.

The celebration falls on June 24th because it marks the winter solstice according to the Incan sundial, Pacha Unachaq. The Incans believed that the sun remains in the same spot for a bit before rising on this day, which is deemed the New Year for the Sun. Men and women show respect for their fallen empire and wear gold and silver, which serves to symbolize high status in their rich cultural heritage.

During this festival, people perform a toast called a chicha, from two different Keros (containers). One of these toasts is a tribute to the land and the gods, while the other honors the visitors. The high priest and Sapa Inca give an oration in Quechua, the ancient Incan language. The first time the Defense and Taking of the Fortress of Saqsaywaman was presented on stage was in 1928. In the past, llamas were sacrificed as a part of the festivities, but today the animal sacrifice is only acted out.

Another tradition of the festival is the start of the new fire. There was no fire allowed during this day. When it was time to start the new fire, it was kindled through a mirror that projected the rays of the sun on animal fur. The fire was then used to light other fires throughout the main square.


Sources:
http://www.cusco.net/articulos/intiraymi.htm

http://www.quechuanetwork.org/inti_raymi.cfm?lang=e

Barranquilla Carnival

Located on the northern Caribbean coast of Columbia, Barranquilla is the fourth largest city in Columbia. The Barranquilla carnival is one of the largest celebrations in South America. The festival boasts all types of native music and dancing with participants providing original dance styles and costumes. All types of musical instruments can be heard in the streets including: gaitas, porros, mpales, puyas, chandés, fandangos, cumbias, and fantásticos merecumbés.

The tradition of the Baranquilla carnival is thought to have originated when the Europeans brought their own traditions to South America, which then fused with native slave customs. Another theory is that the self-proclaimed president, General Carajo, started the tradition in 1903 when he began to celebrate in the middle of Ancha Street. Later, in 1983, the tradition of crowning a carnival queen began. After this, the carnival has continued to develop and fuse with other native customs into one large and prolonged celebration. Thus, Baranquilla has served as a preservation of native and non-native customs, and serves as a means of expressing Columbian heritage and diversity.

One of the highlights of the carnival is when Columbian dancers perform what is called the “Flower Battle”. This tradition again shows the unique heritage of Columbia, since it originated from an organized effort to replace war and violence with peace via flowers. Another main event is the Great Parade, during which viewers can witness African origin within the dances. The Dances of the Congo also serves to commemorate African origins, as it symbolizes the history of black forefathers and the eventual abolition of slavery in America. Finally, the carnival ends in what some may consider an extremely odd manner. The event is known as the “Burial of Joselito.” Joselito is thought to have been a coach driver who drank a bit too much one night, which was not usual for him. The natives mocked him and took him and his carriage to the cemetery in their besotted state. Cries to Joselito now end the Carnival every year.

Sources:

http://www.comunidadandina.org/ingles/tourism/greatest/i_barranquilla.htm

http://www.carnavaldebarranquilla.org/previo/default.html

La Quema Del Diablo

Every year on December 7th the Guatemalans celebrate La Quema del Diablo. Popular legends in Guatemala say that the devil hides under the beds and in the corners of people's homes bringing bad luck. In order to rid their homes of the devil, Guatemalan natives gather old boxes and trash and burn them in front of their homes (some people also burn Satan statues). Another means of celebration is by way of jumping over the bonfires. Still others use pinatas as well; after the pinata is broken it is thrown into the bonfire.
When locals are done burning the trash and devil statues, they thoroughly clean their homes with a straw broom and use holy water in order to deter evil spirits for the entire year.
La Quema del Diablo is part of the Christmas festivities in Guatemala, which begin with Advent. During Advent men dress up as devils and chase children in the streets. After Advent is over, La Quema del Diablo is celebrated to prepare for Fiesta de La Virgen de Inmaculada Concepción and the new year.

Although this is an extremely popular celebration rooted in tradition, it at times faces a bit of criticism. Some people think that the celebration of La Quema del Diablo should be modified because the burning of trash creates a great amount of toxins and is harmful to the environment. A few others harbor mixed feelings about the festivities of La Quema del Diablo because they view it as more of a pagan ritual than a Christian one.