In the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula, Galicia, Carnival has one of its older and more famous shapes of celebration. Known as “Entroido”, a Galician word that comes from the Latin word “introitus” (meaning the beginning of the spring), its origins go back at least to the Middle Ages. In the deeply catholic societies of that time, the Church allowed the celebrations of the Carnival, seen as pagan festivities, as a way for the population to have a good time before focusing on the strict rules of Easter.
Held in the whole Galician territory, the most traditional and well-known celebrations are those in the southern towns of Laza, Verín and Xinzo de Limia, all three close to the Portuguese border. To explain Entroido, we can divide its peculiarities in “the Masks”, the food and the way to celebrate it.
The Masks
In these three towns, on the great days of Entroido (mostly Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) people are running around the village wearing the typical masks, hats and the traditional costume are throwing flour, ants or any kind of liquid to the audience.
The variations exist even between towns and their masks, being called “Peliqueiros” in Laza, “Pantallas” in Xinzo and “Cigarróns” in Verín.
The food
In Entroido, and in Galician winter in general, most traditional meal is Cocido, a heavy dish made with “grelos” (a typical vegetable), potatoes, legumes and every kind of pork, beef, sausages and even chicken meat, accompanied also with the soup remaining of the cooking process. There are also some traditional sweets of Entroido such as filloas (really similar to French crêpes) and orellas (literally means “ears”), fried desserts made with flour, eggs, sugar, anise, etc. Families and groups of friends get reunited in this period to celebrate and taste these meals all together!
How is it celebrated?
In the towns mentioned before, celebrations are held during four Sundays in a row and two Thursdays in between, but the great days are Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, where the parades, big parties and events happen. Last day of Carnival, people wear their sheets and make a big fire with old stuff, burning inside a doll representing happiness for the future. Entroido is a huge event and the population of those towns are preparing it the whole year, receiving thousands of visitors to enjoy a festival mixing tradition and lots of joy to everyone there. Don’t miss the chance to go and enjoy it at least once in your life!
