Inti Raymi is also a great opportunity to try some traditional food and beverages such as chicha de jora (corn beer). If you are in Ecuador at the beginning of September, we recommend that you check it out for an unforgettable experience. (+1) 315 636 0940. Alongside the food, community members drink chicha, a traditional drink made of fermented corn. Carnival is characterized by spraying foam at anyone and everyone. This music can be found throughout the festival, as there are concerts and live music during the week by national and international artists. Inti Raymi (Sun Festival) in June and July. The festival was established when the Cotopaxi volcano erupted in 1742. On this special occasion, the indigenous people practice a day-long ritual that takes us back to the time when the powerful Incan Empire ruled South America. They have lots of characters from The Paseo del Chagra takes place in the town of Machachi, in the Cotopaxi province, and consists of parades with horses, bulls, Andean music bands, dances and a Or call our US Phone Line These are some of the most popular, widely celebrated, and significant indigenous festivals in Ecuador. The indigenous groups of Kichwa Cayambi and Kichwa Otavalo honour the Andean agricultural cycle , with a special attention to corn, which is considered to be a symbol of fertility. The celebration includes a grand parade containing floats, dancers, and traditional Andean music. November 7, 2021 . Submerging into a rich cultural tradition is probably one of the best ways to get to know the country and its people. Each year is sprinkled with some iconic larger-than-life festivals. Festival of the Sun (Inti Raymi), June 21 and onwards. In the cities of Quito and Guayaquil, there contests for the best-made dolls. Locals don black pointed hats and wear goatskin chaps to elevate the overall traditional vibe. Do you love books as much as we do? This wonderful celebration is performed in the esplanade of Sacsayhuaman every June during the celebrations and aims to pay tribute to the Sun God, the supreme symbol of reverence in the Inca culture. The celebration of Ecuadorian Mardi Gras celebrations finds its roots in Christianity as attendees remember, honour, and celebrate Jesus Christ. Harrogate International Festivals. Thousands of cucuruchos walk among Jesus journey, symbolizing penitents who are wanting to repent and turn away from sin. The burning symbolizes the start of new experiences and better things to come. This day is a national holiday in Ecuador and is celebrated with colorful Paredes in the historic center of Cuenca. During this date, thousands of national and foreign tourists walk the streets of the historic center of Cusco and congregate on the esplanades of its main sites to experience a special day of cultural activities whose purpose is to revalue . Semana Santa starts from a week before Sunday called Palm Sunday and lasts for a whole week. Festa Junina is celebrated in many ways, such as costumes, dance, food, and drink. Ecuadorians love to celebrate. While around, you can either hike through the magnificent Andes Mountains or trail through the lush Amazon rainforests. Head to Guaranda and Ambato cities for the best carnival experience. People anticipate Holy Week several weeks prior when signs for fanesca begin appearing. Simn Bolvar Day or "Natalicio de Simn Bolvar" in Spanish is a national holiday in Ecuador celebrated on July 24th. The Yamor festivities started 52 years ago. Unsubscribe in one click. As soon as the Andean summer begins,Inti Raymi is a celebration and gratitude to the sun. Ecuador celebrates Christmas as one of its main traditional festivals. A pre-Conquest festival celebrated on the solstice at important ancient sites such as Cochasqu. Despite a religious history, Festa Junina is celebrated mainly through . One of them is the energetic renewal that consists of submerging or entering waterfalls, rivers or springs bordering each community and through torrential or calm water, which descends from the moors or slopes of the snowy mountains, the objective is to purify spiritually , thank the greatness of nature and reaffirm the commitment to Pacha Mama. Also called Fiesta del Sol, it is a traditional festival. Semana Santa (Holly Week) in Quito City in April. Travel down the Amazon river where ethnic groups live in perfect harmony with the regions environmental diversity. However, remember that you may encounter some alcohol-fuelled excess if venturing out late at night. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from Gulliver. Inti Raymi consists of several weeks full of dance, music, food, and spiritual rituals. Two dates are of utmost importance. Call a Travel Specialist Dont forget to take caution though. Inti Raymi consists of a lot of dancing. Christmas is famous for gifts, merry and of course, our old man - the Santa Claus and it is the same, worldwide. Celebratory foods and drinking are always part of Ecuadorian holidays. Make your next purchase from Bookshop.org (our independent bookshop connection) using one of our links and help us earn a commission. We support businesses on their journey to create tourism for good. Join our email list to learn more! The week is celebrated with various events and religious ceremonies with rich cultural traditions. These characters walk along the procession with bare feet, and some with bare backs, which they hit with a whip made of ropes. In Ecuador, Inti Raymi (or the Fiesta del Sol ), was declared a festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage on June 29, 2016. This is an annual festival Head to Otavalo in the first two weeks of September to experience the best of religion and culture coming together. Otavalo is good to visit at the end of the month when it will be in the throes of one of Ecuador's best parties during Inti Raymi celebrations. Conditions. Domingo de Pascua o Resureccion. The date of this celebration varies each year, as it depends on the ecclesiastical lunar calendar, and can take place between the 22nd of March and the 25th of April. It usually takes place six weeks prior to Easter Sunday and falls around any time between February to March. Holy week begins with Palm Sunday Domingo de Ramos, and ends on Easter Sunday, I love that you have started writing for us because it means that I will never stop learning about all that Ecuador has to offer! August 10. This is one of the most amusing celebrations in Ecuador and it takes place at the end of the year. This beverage runs freely during the festivities. When the Spaniards introduced horses to South America, they discovered that the Andes where a very difficult terrain Some truly passionate people even stomp on the burning pile for effect. The Day of the East - February 12th: This day marks an anniversary of the countrys discovery of the Amazon River. Inti Raymi is one of the most traditional festival celebrations in the Ecuadorian Andes. August - Boughton House, Kettering, Northamptonshire Established with a reputation for delivering the world's most enthralling performers to our doorstep, Harrogate International Festivals creates distinctive cultural experiences through their year-round delivery of festivals and events, as well as nurturing local talent. Finally, after spending the day visiting, each house hold enters the street and engages in a grand, energetic procession. traditional ceremonies. They symbolize the experiences and events of the past year. Other activities include fireworks, bullfighting (the bull is not killed), and one popular event in which swimmers compete in a swimming competition across the icy waters of San Pablo lake. Posadas is a nine-day celebration leading up to Christmas in which families reenact the journey of Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay. While weve listed the most popular festivals in Ecuador, smaller ones take place in several parts of the country every week. of the Sun is one of the most important indigenous La Mama Negra. As in other cultures, the holidays, events, and festivals in Ecuador are connected to various seasons, cultural traditions, and religious observances. Celebrations like Corpus Christ i, Saint Juan, Saint Pedro and Saint Paul, with religious and pagan characteristics, which occur in the month of June in almost all the indigenous populations of the mountains. and includes music, parades, dancing, costumes, and it will be difficult to miss locals throwing flour and water to visitors and passers-by. Whoever catches the cape of the Fox gest a price and also gets to be the Fox in the following year. It is perhaps the biggest and most important indigenous celebration in Ecuador. La Mama Negra is one of the oldest in the city and it is a display of the varied cultural influences from its Spanish, Aymaran, Incan, Mayan, and African ancestors. At this party, you will find the traditional chicha drink which is made from corn, Blue Bird liquor, and beverages of Pajaro Azul. Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiring travel guides and articles from around the world! Photo credit: deperu.com Inti Raymi: This "Festival of the Sun" is held in June to celebrate the winter solstice Yamor Ecuadorian festival. The celebration also matches with the harvest season and the end of an Andean agricultural cycle. During the festival, locals dress up as imps and other representational characters and parade on city streets for vivacious and energetic performances complete with song and dance. Blog Post Holy Week is coming up soon. Before burning the doll, it is traditional to read the final will of the year, where it is usual to hear jokes and promises for the coming year. is the most important date for Guayaquil, which commemorates the date with parades and dance troupes through the city. Semana Santa is also a big event in Ecuador. The festival is often celebrated by playing with and throwing water. Aya Uma is a relevant character throughout the festivities. Fashion Supplies For Pets what festival in ecuador is celebrated in june? Enjoy any of Ecuadors festivals with Gulliver. In many communities, the dancing goes well into the night. In Quito in particular, the procession is accompanied by the Backpacking through Ecuador is a mighty rewarding experience as it features fantastic things to do and places to visit. Are You Ready To Fall In Love With Quito, Ecuador? Parades, carnival revelries, food fairs, musical performances, and a whole lot of energy takes over the country as people gather to celebrate Ecuadorian Mardi Gras. San Vino Wine Fight Festival, Haro, Spain, June 29. If this leaves you with enough time, what will also be worth your while is attending one of the many festivals hosted in the country. Photo credit: Chimu Advventures Although Semana Santa is celebrated across the country, religious parades in the capital city Quito, especially on Good Friday, are quite something in themselves. Submerging into a rich cultural tradition is probably one of the best ways to get to know the country and its people. Designing a Quiet Experience with Gordon Hempton, An Insiders Guide to Celebrating Easter in Quito, Ecuador. The Cotopaxi National Park has many other attractions as the Rumiahui volcano, the Limpiopungo Lagoon or the Pucar de Salitre, an old Incan military outpost. Because Corpus Christi is tied to Holy Week and its lunar calendar, it will not fall before May 21 or after June 24. December 24: Christmas. Food includes beans, corn, potatoes, and guinea pig. Ever since, locals dress up in flamboyant attire and take to the streets to put up zestful performances, acts, and parades. The city streets fill to watch a parade of legendary characters pass by, bestowing blessings candy, and homemade brew. Inti Raymi - June 17-21: The Inti Raymi or the celebration These drinks are quite strong. From this area, you are in close proximity to the volcanic lagoon/crater of Cuicocha. Las Viudas (The Widows) are a major thing dung this celebrations. Traditional Festival of the Inti Raymi. No matter the ages, everyone participates! Inti Raymi is also the feast of sun and light. The Festival of La Mama Negra takes place in the town of Latacunga in Ecuador at the end of September and again during the week of November. Specialized in adventure travel such as climbing, mountain biking and horseback riding. Ecuador Independence Day (August 10th) Ecuadorians celebrate independence from Spain on August 10, 1809. They also indulge in Mulled Wine, Cocada, and Quento. A self-proclaimed aesthete striving for a fulfilling personal and professional life. the Yasuni National Park bestow upon the Amazon its special human character and identity. Quito Independence Day*. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). It contains squash, beans, cheese, peas, corn, and peanuts and is garnished with hard-boiled eggs, empanadas, avocado, and fried plantains. Because of this, they thought the locals how to ride horses so that they could guide them through the difficult terrains, and thus the Chagra Gulliver Expeditions is a tour operator that offers uniqueEcuadorand Peru tours. One of the most popular Christmas traditions in Ecuador is Los Posadas. Recommendations, Terms and This date is celebrated with parades and other cultural events across the country. Make sure you arrive on time, as it gets quite crowded. Ecuador is a relatively big country, and as a result, it's no surprise that different regions of Ecuador have their own, individual styles of celebrating Day of the Dead in Ecuador. The festival usually takes place for a week, from June 21 onwards, during the summer solstice. The Coney Island Mermaid Parade brings thousands of guests to Surf Avenue for a day of elaborate costumes, festive food and drink, fine art, and all things aquatic. Each year the dolls are better built and with more effort, so dont A largely popular religious festival, Corpus Christi is a time when Catholics celebrate and honour the body and blood of Jesus Christ. So, if you are planning a visit to Ecuador anytime soon, heres our list of the best Ecuador Festivals and traditional customs. Carnival should take place on Monday and Tuesday, 40 days before Easter each year, prior to the Catholic fasting period (around mid February). La Mama Negra is one of the oldest in the city and it is a display of the varied cultural influences from its Spanish, Aymaran, Incan, Mayan, and African ancestors. Witness one of the biggest Catholic events on the planet at Cirio de Nazare in Brazil. In Ecuador, the festival incorporates an older indigenous tradition of celebrating the second moon by throwing flowers, water and flour. On this day, locals put up high-spirited performances, entertainment shows, and parades that are truly a sight to behold. September 1-15. This celebration attracts around 5000 visitors every year. A largely theatrical display, Holy Week in Quito fervently demonstrates penitence and sorrow. Ecuador is a diversified rich cultural country. This day is celebrated on the Friday before Easter Sunday. It is also conventional for these festivals to include the drinking of brandy and liquor. This will allow to welcome their own and visitors who will come from many parts of the country and the rest of the world, it will be the opportunity to meet, thank for the food that Pacha Mama or Mother Nature offers them, as well as generously share the energy and vitality of its traditions. The Inti Raymi is a traditional festival that is celebrated in countries across the Andes. Given Ecuadors Catholic faith and tradition, Christmas is celebrated all along the Ecuadorian territory. Ecuadors early settlers, their adoption of the Christian faith and their contemporary way of life today provides an interesting mixture which is still present in the countrys cultural expressions. They present a brilliant insight into the countrys history, culture, and warmth that youll surely enjoy. One key moment of these festivals is the performance by the Banda de Pueblo. equestrian activity known as Caceria del Zorro or Foxhunt. This dance often lasts more than twelve hours and includes characters such asthe Chinuca, the Aruchico and of course the infallible Diablohuma (Aya-Huma). There are no holidays in Ecuador today. Extravagant fireworks displays at night add a notch of awesome to this brilliant Ecuadorian holiday tradition. Requirements to enter Galapagos In bodies of water such as Cuicocha lagoon and Peguche waterfall, communities park take in ritual cleansings to dispose of negative energy, renew positive energy, and reinforce their bond with mother nature. Carnival is a Catholic holiday that has blended with Andean traditions to become a huge festival. The celebration of Ecuadorian Mardi Gras celebrations finds its roots in Christianity as attendees remember, honour, and celebrate Jesus Christ. The reason why is that it is a deeply catholic tradition. Locals don traditional outfits and put up lively song-and-dance performances, processions, and food fairs that mainly sell traditional foods and beverages. You can spend the night in some of the best places to stay in Ecuador, including hotels and vacation rentals. celebrations of Ecuador and dates from the Incan and Caari cultures. what festival in ecuador is celebrated in june? Cacera Del Zorro (foxhunt) - October 1st to the 8th: The city of Ibarra celebrates its foundation during the month of October. What to pack for the Galapagos It is a period of celebration and abundance before the fasting. There are many reasons to visit the Yamor Festival. It is a celebration of the intercultural peoples of Otavalo. Today's festival is based on descriptions from Peruvian writer Inca Garciloso de la Vega, who published his observations of the festival in his tome Comentarios . The town and the region belong to the protected Mindo-Nambillo forest, a unique ecosystem known as cloud forest, located between the highlands and the coastal region and surrounded by mist There will be week-long celebrations that take place from March to April (dates vary due to the lunar calendar). Inti Raymi is the ancient Inca celebration of the Sun that is celebrated from June 18 to 24, the day when the sun in Ecuador is at its highest point of the year. If you want to take part in this exquisite cultural experience, we recommend arriving early as massive crows line the demonstration route.