THE "VIEJOS"The "Viudas"

THE "VIUDAS"

THE BEER

OTHER TRADITIONS

UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE CHIMBORAZOFACULTADE DE CIENCIAS DE LA

EDUCACION HUMANAS Y TECNOLOGIAS

Marjory Lechon Yesenia MerinoZoila GrandaAyala Daisy

Language and culture

The "Viejos"One big part of the festivities for New Years Eve in Ecuador are "los años viejos" (the old years). People make large scarecrow-like dolls often of the people they dislike or of notable people from the past year. Some come complete with signs detailing their sins. And then at mid-night everyone lights them on fire. The symbolic meaning of course is the forgetting of the bad of the past year and the hope that the coming year will be better.To make their effigies, people fill old clothes with sawdust or newspaper and add a face with a mask. So a variety of masks are for sale in days leading up to New Years. Some are made to look like famous people, usually presidents or other political figures. Others are of locals. Some are just fun...

The "Viudas"Another interesting feature of Ecuador New Years celebrations are the "vuidas" (the widows). They are widows because their husbands are the ones being burned that evening, but the basic truth is that a bunch of really brave -or really stupid- men dress as women to beg for beer money. Kids will dress up too and beg for candy.

The BeerNo New Years celebration is complete without beer. And Ecuador is no exception. The crates of Pilsener were lining the streets this afternoon and will be empty by morning.

The PartiesEcuadorians are big partiers anyday, but New Years Eve is an especially big party. Most every neighborhood in town will have their own music and street dance. Every bar, karaoke and disco-tech will be open until early morning. So if you're planning to sleep... I am, but I already know not to get my hopes up too high.Many will wear masks, and fireworks are a big part of most celebrations.