Compadres Feast

Compadres Feast – February, 15th and 16th
The Carnival celebrations begin with “Festa dos Compadres” (Compadres Feast), which takes place in Santana. The nature of this traditional festivity is part of passage from winter to spring ritual and the renewal of the local community.
The action unfolds in a clear antagonism between male and female local residents, well represented through the satirical male and female dolls made by the participants. The feast focuses on the judgement of the “compadre” and the judgement of the “comadre”, during which social criticism is done towards the events and activities of individuals and community institutions that took place over the year.
In the end, both the “compadre” and the “comadre” are burned as punishment. This way, the community feels renewed and social tensions are relieved, prepared to begin a new cycle in spring.