Ecuador's Colorful Past Comes to Life in Mama Negra Festival

Ecuador's Colorful Past Comes to Life in Mama Negra Festival

Standing under the shadow of the volcano, Cotopaxi, the city of Latacunga fills the streets celebrating 300 years of tradition in its largest and oldest festival.

The Festival of Mama Negra is one of the oldest in the city of Latacunga and traces of the city’s vibrant past and varied cultural influences from its Spanish, Aymaran, Incan, Mayan, and African ancestors can be seen throughout the festival.

A tradition which is repeated twice a year, once in September and again in November, hits its apex in the week of November 11, when the city fills the streets to watch a parade of legendary characters pass by, bestowing blessings candy, and homemade brew to the crowd.



Dancers and local bands make way for their regal guests who’s origins are a blended mixture of indigenous mythology and Catholicism, remnants of the Spanish influence from their first arrival in Ecuador.
Photo:Monica Sabella




The city’s traditional festival dates back to 1742 when the nearby volcano Cotopaxi erupted and threatened to destroy the village of Latacunga. The town turned to the Virgin of Mercy, patron of Cotopaxi, and when the city was spared, the tribute became an annual tradition.
Photo:Monica Sabella



Through time, its religious beginnings took a mythical turn, adopting cultural aspects from the African community of slaves brought by Spaniards to work in the mines hence transforming what was a procession for a virgin to a parade for “La Mama Negra”, the “Black Mother.”
Photo:Monica Sabella

More:
https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Ecuadors-Colorful-Past-Comes-to-Life-in-Mama-Negra-Festival-20171105-0017.html