Two worlds in one country

                                                     Two worlds in one country

   A festival is an event commonly celebrated by communities around the world centered on some characteristics aspects of those communities. The word festival is being used since the XIV century as an adjective, for example “a festal day” or “suitable for a feast”. Specifically in Argentina there a lot of festivities throughout its territory such as Fiesta Nacional del Folklore in Cordoba, Festival del Chamamé in Corrientes, Carnivals in different places,etc. In one hand all these fests are very different from each other. In this writing we will try to contrast “The Carnavalito in Jujuy” and “The Carnivals of Gualeguaychú in Entre Ríos”.

  Carnivals from the north-east are strongly influenced by Brazil. Meanwhile carnivals from north-west follow the traditions of Bolivia. Those contacts are reflected in the costumes of every Festival. As regards The Carnavalito, women wear a long colourful dress, a poncho, a pair of espadrilles, a scarf, and a hat; men´s clothing consist of a white shirt, pants to the ankles, a scarf and a hat. In contrast to The Carnivals of Gualeguaychú people wear costumes of fantasy covered with precious stones, sequins, beads and feathers.

  Another point to consider is the way inhabitants hold the carnivals in Jujuy and Entre Ríos. In the former, one week before the huge carnival began to develop “carnavalitos” and “bailecitos” where people dance traditional dances. During the huge celebration, generally out of the city, participants meet around cairns and they proceed to dig up the “Diablo carnavalero” symbolizing the red sun. It is believed that he is who fertilizes the Pacha Mama (mother Earth), giving raise to seeds, roots, stems, foliage and fruits of the region. Temptation Sunday celebrations end with the ceremony to bury the devil, who will return to his hideout with coca leaves, alcohol and cigarettes to remain buried for a day. Conversely, in the latter the comparsas (a group of people wearing the same costume forming a team) compete between them. They elaborate a theme every year evolves it throughout the different sections of the comparsa and representative choreographies having their own float and queen. It is a great touristic attraction. While different comparsas dance and walk in the streets, thousands of people are watching them as an audience placed at each side.

In addition, another difference is the music. On the one hand, in Carnavalito are utilized instruments such as quenas, charangos, erkenchos, erkes, cajas chayeras, sikus and bass drums. The dancers move around musicians and a woman or man with a scarf in his/her hand is responsible for directing. All they sing the same songs or crisscross improvisations. On the other hand, in Gualeguaychú are very common the “batucadas”, a musical manifestation which consists of a group of percussion instruments like different kinds of drums, tambourines, a whistle, guiros, maracas, etc. In comparison with the Carnavalito, these dancers have organized choreographies because they are in a competition.

  On the whole, although these two festivals take place in the same country, they have a variety of dissimilarities. It is obvious that bordering countries have a high impact in the culture of these places. As a result, the meaning of the carnivals are completely different, Jujuy`s population do it as a ritual and Entre Ríos do it as a competition.