As I mentioned in my last post, Masaya is famed for being the home of Nicaraguan folklore. In Monimbó on the third Sunday in November they celebrate the festival of “El Toro Venado”. The day started in next door’s garden, where one of the lads was 30ft up a tree cutting down coconuts to decorate their float for the parade... It is tradition that families enter into the parade every year and have a special name – next door are known as the conejos (rabbits). From what I can tell, the parade is an opportunity for people to express their views about current issues, mock politicians and for the men – go out in drag! The butt of most jokes was Costa Rica (currently in a heated border dispute with Nicaragua and tensions are running high!)... here are some highlights from the parade....
Cutting down coconuts....
The conejos
3 for the price of 1 on Costa Rican (wo)men
Later that day we went to see some of the festivities of San Jeronimo – the patron saint of Masaya. Officially this festival lasts just 8 days (beginning September 30th), but writing at the end of November, I’m still being kept awake by marching bands and fireworks until the early hours! This festival involves dancing, more drag queens, fireworks and marimbas. I went along with D.D’s grandson to see one of his friends dancing – Christian (pictured below), the rather buxom brunette with fan! People invite groups to perform traditional dances in their homes and it seems that the whole neighbourhood then turns up to watch. Apparently the dance groups are mostly men... The dress is colonial and the masks are typical of the festivals here in Masaya. The costumes are very heavy and they also wear heels – apparently Christian was dancing for 12 hours on Sunday!
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