Paraguayans know how to celebrate, and the festival of the
Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of Arazape, was no exception. The festivities
lasted for a week, then culminated in the grand finale that started at 7:00am
and ended at around 11:00pm that evening. This is an event that the entire
community looks forward to every year.
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| Mark and the kids wait for their turn |
Tents were put up near the plaza, by a group of carnies,
housing a hand operated Merry Go Round, games of chance, two shops selling
trinkets and toys, three food booths, and three cantinas. If the tents didn’t
catch your eye, the blaring music was certainly the advertisement that would
ensure everyone would visit, at least once!
During the week, The Virgen del Carmen, who is also the
Virgin Mary, (long story), was carried from the church in a procession to each
of the 11 barrios of Arazape, to bless the people and renew their faith.
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| Virgen del Carmen |
On the last day of the festival, the final procession was
made around the main square of Arazape, with everyone meeting at the church for
a mass. The fire for the “estaca” was
reduced to coals and ready for the skewered meat, the beer and soda iced, with
plenty of cana, (sugar cane alcohol), on hand for the day’s festivities. A traveling
band provided music for the event, as well as groups with guitars and
accordions.
The horse events, held in front of the church, took most of
the morning.
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| Grabbing the ring from the corncob |
The events included: pulling a ring from a corn cob suspended from
a cross above the rider’s heads; horse jumping; and swooping to pick up a cana
bottle, (an impromptu challenge by a member of the audience).
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Lots of meat eating, alcohol drinking, and visiting followed
near the church, including numbers and letters being announce for a Bingo
fundraiser.
A make shift bullring, complete with bleachers was set up
overnight in the soccer field, and the evening culminated in a “Torin” or
bullfight of sorts. The bull was let into the ring, with a rider on his back.
Three matadors with capes harassed the bull until it was tired and finally gave
up. The best part was the clowns who entertained the kids and had everyone
laughing. The next morning the entire set-up was dismantled and gone before the
sun came up!
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| Diana and I at the bullfight |
The event was a great time to connect with neighbors,
whether during mass, over a bottle of cana, or snuggling to stay warm during
the “Torin.” There was something for everyone, which brought with it a sense of
community, all in honor of the Virgen del Carmen!
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