As is still the case in many religions all over the world, the people tried to please the deceased in order to get them to comply with their petitions and prayers to provide in the necessities of the living. By honoring the dead through their ceremonies, offerings, rituals, music and dances, they tried to invite them to return among the living and bring fertility among men, animals and plants.
But the wearing of masks also had the curious effect of creating the possibility of shedding the social masks of everyday life and dodges the rules of conduct imposed by Christianity.
Processions of the impersonated ancestors accompanied b special dances, music and rituals had to pass everywhere in the countryside to ensure the help of the deceased for good weather and good harvests.
Although their original meaning is now forgotten, we can easily recognize these old traditions in our costumed carnival road-marches of today.
Carnival participant dressed in beautiful bright colors
