Mama Negra Festivities
The Ecuadorian town of Latacunga comes to life with the Mama Negra Festival that happens twice a year - once around September 23-24 and once around Latacunga's Independence Day on November 11. While the origins of the Mama Negra Festival are still little known, local knowledge suggests links to an eruption of the Cotopaxi volcano that endangered the lives of African slaves. Later, the Virgin of Mercy was called upon by local residents in the area to show mercy to the slaves, turning it into a religious and cultural festival - a fusion of cultures. indigenous, African and Spanish cultures of Ecuador. Since then, locals have dressed up brightly and taken to the streets to perform, perform and parade wildly. Spectacular fireworks displays at night add a wonderful touch to the vibrant Ecuadorian holiday traditions.
The La Mama Negra festival is a popular festival that attracts visitors as the city's streets fill with a parade of legendary figures passing by, blessing candies and homemade beer. Thousands of locals and tourists gather as traditional spectators through the streets of Latacunga. Musicians, dancers, and bands were all part of this grand theatrical celebration, which ended with the arrival of Mama Negra on horseback.
- Organization time: September & November every year
- Location: Latacunga, Ecuador
