Nat CastañedaFebruary 19, 2015Comment

Spanish, Portuguese towns celebrate carnival

Nat CastañedaFebruary 19, 2015Comment

The wild and colorful costumes and masquerades that precede the Christian season of Lent have created popular festival traditions in Spain and Portugal.

One of Portugal's most famous Carnival events takes place in the northcentral town of Lazarin, with its pagan 'careto' ritual of young men in colored woolen quilts donning brass, leather or wooden masks as they dance and chase people — especially young women — through the streets, trying to scare them by making lots of noise and jingling bells.

In this photo taken on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 revellers dressed in Carnival traditional costumes dance and jump as they parade during Carnival festivities in Lazarim, northeastern Portugal. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. Portugalís most famous carnival takes place in the north-central town of Lazarin, with its pagan ëcaretoí ritual of masked young men dressed in colored woolen quilts and donning brass, leather or wooden masks as they dance and chase local people _ especially young women _ through the streets, trying to scare them by making lots of noise and jingling bells on their backs. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

In Spain's central town of Luzon, men covered in oil and soot wear bull horns and cowbells to represent the devil. Records of Luzon's Carnival date as far back as the 14th century, although it is believed to be much older.

Up north in Alsasua, half-man, half-bull figures known as Momotxorros smear their face as if with the blood of a sacrificed animal. Wearing horns and red-stained sheets, they roam the Spanish town, roaring fiercely and brandishing sticks.

In Spain's ancient village of Unamu, people dress up as Mamuxarro, folkloric figures in white with a red sash and a metal mask to cover their faces as they pursue townsfolk with sticks. According to custom, their alleged victims (usually young women) must kneel and kiss their knee after he makes the sign of the cross on their forehead.

In the northern Basque village of Lesaka, where the central character is the Zaku Zaharrak, revelers stuffed into sacks full of straw threaten people with sticks bearing inflated animal bladders.

The Pyrenees villages of Ituren and Zubieta stage one of Europe's most ancient carnivals — dating from Roman times. Residents dress up as figures known as Joaldunak and parade through the streets with sheepskins around their waists and shoulders, conical caps and cowbells on their backs.

Here's a gallery of images from this year's festivals.

In this photo taken on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 a girl runs away from a ''Mamuxarro'' during the carnival, in the small town of Unanu, northern Spain. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. In the northern Spanish ancient village of Unamu, people dress up as 'Mamuxarroí, folkloric figures in white with a red sash and a metal mask to cover their faces as they pursue townsfolk with sticks. According to custom, their 'victims' (usually young women) must kneel and kiss the mamuxarroís knee after he makes the sign of the cross on their forehead. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

In this photo taken on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 a man dressed in local Carnival traditional costume runs as he parades with others during Carnival festivities in Lazarim, northeastern Portugal. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. Portugalís most famous carnival takes place in the north-central town of Lazarin, with its pagan ëcaretoí ritual of masked young men dressed in colored woolen quilts and donning brass, leather or wooden masks as they dance and chase local people _ especially young women _ through the streets, trying to scare them by making lots of noise and jingling bells on their backs. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

In this photo taken on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 revelers dressed as the traditional carnival characters 'Zaku Zaharrak', or old sack in Basque language, walk during the carnival parade of the small village of Lesaka, Spain. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. In the northern Basque village of Lesaka, the central character is the 'Zaku Zaharrak,' which sees revelers stuffing themselves into sacks full of straw and threatening people with sticks bearing inflated animal bladders. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

In this photo taken on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 a reveller wearing a costume, poses for a picture during a traditional carnival celebration in the small village of Luzon, Spain. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. In Spainís central town of Luzon, men covered in oil and soot wear bull horns and cowbells to represent the devil. Records of Luzonís carnival date as far back as the 14th century although it is believed to be much older. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

In this photo taken on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 a man, covered in oil and soot representing the devil, smokes a cigarette as he gets ready for the carnaval in the small village of Luzon, Spain. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. In Spainís central town of Luzon, men covered in oil and soot wear bull horns and cowbells to represent the devil. Records of Luzonís carnival date as far back as the 14th century although it is believed to be much older. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 Joaldunaks, some to call them ''Zanpantzar'', take part on the Carnival between of the Pyrenees villages of Ituren and Zubieta, northern Spain. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. The Pyrenees villages of Ituren and Zubieta stage one of Europeís most ancient carnivals _ dating from Roman times _ where residents dress up as figures known as ëJoaldunak,í _ or cowbells _ and parade the streets with sheepskins around the waist and shoulder, conical caps and cowbells on their back. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015 a ''Momotxorro'' takes part in the carnival wearing his typical carnival dress, in Alsasua, northern Spain. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. Up north in Alsasua, Spain, half-man, half-bull figures known as Momotxorros smear their face as if with the blood of a sacrificed animal. Wearing horns and and red-stained, white sheets, they roam the town roaring fiercely and brandishing sticks. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

In this photo taken on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 men covered in oil and soot carrying bull horns on their head and cowbells on a belt representing devils, march during a traditional carnival celebration in the small village of Luzon, Spain. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. In Spainís central town of Luzon, men covered in oil and soot wear bull horns and cowbells to represent the devil. Records of Luzonís carnival date as far back as the 14th century although it is believed to be much older. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015 revellers dressed in traditional costumes run around a burning effigy of a traditional figure during annual Carnival festivities, in Podence, northeastern Portugal. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. Portugalís most famous carnival takes place in the north-central town of Lazarin, with its pagan ëcaretoí ritual of masked young men dressed in colored woolen quilts and donning brass, leather or wooden masks as they dance and chase local people _ especially young women _ through the streets, trying to scare them by making lots of noise and jingling bells on their backs. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015 ''Momotxorros'' take part in the carnival wearing typical carnival dress, in Alsasua, northern Spain. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. Up north in Alsasua, Spain, half-man, half-bull figures known as Momotxorros smear their face as if with the blood of a sacrificed animal. Wearing horns and and red-stained, white sheets, they roam the town roaring fiercely and brandishing sticks. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015 revelers from the Portuguese village of Podence dressed in traditional costumes pose for photographers during annual Carnival festivities, in Podence, northeastern Portugal. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. Portugalís most famous carnival takes place in the north-central town of Lazarin, with its pagan ëcaretoí ritual of masked young men dressed in colored woolen quilts and donning brass, leather or wooden masks as they dance and chase local people _ especially young women _ through the streets, trying to scare them by making lots of noise and jingling bells on their backs. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015 a ''Momotxorro'', wearing typical carnival dress, walks to take part in a parade in Alsasua, northern Spain. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. Up north in Alsasua, Spain, half-man, half-bull figures known as Momotxorros smear their face as if with the blood of a sacrificed animal. Wearing horns and and red-stained, white sheets, they roam the town roaring fiercely and brandishing sticks. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015 a man covers his face with blood to takes part in the ''Momotxorro Carnival'', in Alsasua, northern Spain. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. Up north in Alsasua, Spain, half-man, half-bull figures known as Momotxorros smear their face as if with the blood of a sacrificed animal. Wearing horns and and red-stained, white sheets, they roam the town roaring fiercely and brandishing sticks. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

In this photo taken on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 revellers dressed in local Carnival traditional costumes parade during Carnival festivities in Lazarim, northeastern Portugal. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. Portugalís most famous carnival takes place in the north-central town of Lazarin, with its pagan ëcaretoí ritual of masked young men dressed in colored woolen quilts and donning brass, leather or wooden masks as they dance and chase local people _ especially young women _ through the streets, trying to scare them by making lots of noise and jingling bells on their backs. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

In this photo taken on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 a man, covered in oil and soot carrying bull horns on his head and cowbells on a belt representing the devil, walks away from people wearing costumes during a traditional carnival celebration in the small village of Luzon, Spain. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. In Spainís central town of Luzon, men covered in oil and soot wear bull horns and cowbells to represent the devil. Records of Luzonís carnival date as far back as the 14th century although it is believed to be much older. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

In this photo taken on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 a group of young girls react next to a ''Mamuxarro'' during the carnival, in the small town of Unanu, northern Spain, While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. In the northern Spanish ancient village of Unamu, people dress up as 'Mamuxarroí, folkloric figures in white with a red sash and a metal mask to cover their faces as they pursue townsfolk with sticks. According to custom, their 'victims' (usually young women) must kneel and kiss the mamuxarroís knee after he makes the sign of the cross on their forehead. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 Joaldunaks, also called ''Zanpantzar'', eat in a restaurant on their way to take part on the Carnival between of the Pyrenees villages of Ituren and Zubieta, northern Spain. While Rio de Janeiro may boast the worldís most famous carnival, the festive period of masquerades and wild and colorful costumes that precedes the Christian religious season of Lent is also a permanent and popular fixture for celebration in Spain and Portugal, with each country having its own strange and unique way of doing it. The Pyrenees villages of Ituren and Zubieta stage one of Europeís most ancient carnivals _ dating from Roman times _ where residents dress up as figures known as ëJoaldunak,í _ or cowbells _ and parade the streets with sheepskins around the waist and shoulder, conical caps and cowbells on their back. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

See full collection of Spain Portugal Towns Celebrate Carnival

Text from the AP news story,AP PHOTOS: Spanish, Portuguese towns celebrate Carnival.

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