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Festivals play an important role in Ecuador's culture. These
festivals often combine Roman Catholic rituals and indigenous traditions. The Inca
celebrated a holiday called Inti Raymi on the June solstice. Today the solstice
is celebrated on the feast of San Juan (St. John the Baptist) on June 24. People dress
up in elaborate costumes and dance. These dancers are called the Diablo Humz
(Devil's head). A few days later, on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, people build
huge bonfires in the streets. An important Christmas tradition is the pase del niño which means the "presentation of the Christ child." In most houses there is a statue of the baby Jesus, often an antique. People believe that this figure of Jesus will bring good luck. Every year the family takes the statue to the church at Christmastime to be blessed by the priest. |
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The most important national holiday is the Independence of Ecuador
and each city celebrates its own independence. The independence of Guayaquil is celebrated
on October 9. The founding of Quito is celebrated by festivals, fairs and bullfights in
December. In Latacunga in the central Sierra region, the Fiesta de la Mama Negra (the Festival of the Black Mother) is held in late September. La Mama Negra is a local statue of a dark-skinned Virgin Mary that is important to the inhabitants of this area. People dress in costumes, masks and headdresses and dance in the streets. During February and early March, many families in Quito go on a vacation before school starts. They may spend their vacation in the coastal and Andes region; all the restaurants and hotels quickly become completely booked. |
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