The History of Carnival in Guaranda

Carnival festivities are one of the many manifestations of syncretism involved in Ecuadorian traditions and celebrations. According to the Catholic calendar, the festivities precede the period of Lent. Many popular festivals are held throughout the country. It is a time of masks, jokes, water, music and dances. Carnival is also classified among the festivities of the spring equinox, which is closely related to the indigenous cosmology before Catholicism in America.

Guaranda, known as the City of the Seven Hills, has traditional Carnival festivals and parties that go on for days. The visitors during these days excitedly drink a traditional fermented corn beverage called “chicha” and the popular alcoholic beverage aguardiente to set the tone for the joyful and communal spirit of the festivities.

There are a couple theories regarding the origin of Carnival in Guaranda—the first claims that the Guarangas, an ancestral tribe belonging to the Chimbus nation, held the celebration in honor of their chief (El Cacique Guaranga) and to give thanks to Pachacamac, the god they worshipped, and to nature.

According to this theory, everyone used to prepare food and drink to host the tribes from the surrounding areas that assisted this celebration, which lasted three days. In the festivals there were many dancers and people in costumes. The people sang religious hymns, painted their faces, dressed in animal skins, drank chicha and ate corn-based foods in their homes, as well as those of neighbors, family, and friends.

The second theory is a myth that the god “Gran Taita” was sympathetic towards Carna and Valerio, a young couple that were ordered to marry by chief Guaranga. When Gran Taita saw the couple asleep in a field, he commanded nature to compose a song for them. Immediately, the birds sang cheerfully, the wind blew mournfully, and the tree branches twisted up, while the river waters playfully churned and danced. These sounds combined to form a sad yet happy tune.

Carnival in Guaranda is celebrated as it is in the rest of the country, except with additional costumes, parades, music, poetry, and dance in all parts of the city. It is considered to be one of the best Carnival celebrations in Ecuador.