History
Let me tell you what is a Carnival?
It is a Christian festivity that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. It involves public celebrations, street parties, dances, and parades.
During this celebration, the participants drink a lot of alcohol in the streets, but animal products are eaten less, funny fact…
For these celebrations, you can use whatever you want, the brighter and colorful the better. Carnival is a pretty famous tradition in a lot of places they said the most amazing and biggest one in the world is the one in Rio de Janeiro, lights, samba, music, colors, customs are together in the same spot. I really want to go there, just to let you know if it is true.
Also, the Venecia Carnival is famous because of its masks (they are very characteristic, each one of them is unique pieces). Venecia Carnival has a big Masquerade ball, but you have to buy your tickets months before.
These 2 are the most famous in the world, but they are a bunch more everywhere with different traditions, but it is very common in several places.
Did you know that our Carnival is one of the 8 most representative in Mexico?
Now I will tell you why, but first some history:
In 1904 Mr. Manuel Vivas organized the first representation theatrical – musical. The characters present a comedy parodying customs and figures. It has established as a popular expression for the people of Cozumel.
It is very important to mention Mr. Félix González, he was the one that impulses the carnival. He became the main exponent, literally, he brings joy to the island. He was the one maintaining the control and the organization decade thru decade, for more than 50 years.
Women were included until 1940. The ’50s were very special because they adopted a new tradition. Where the main character was Wacax Che a wooden bull that chased men. These carnival days were highly popular with presentations from house to house and in the main square.
Sadly, in the ’70s everything changes, the party went into crisis, the beautiful tradition degenerated, becoming aggressive.
It was in 1975 that the municipal government took control and make a big twist in the hole organization. No more crisis, no more wooden bull for these dates. The idea is that all the people get closer and participate, no matter what ages you are the idea is to participate, have fun and stay with this great tradition. Also during these years, it was a smelly and not that cool tradition. The people throw tomatoes or rotten eggs to houses.
They decided it was not fun at all because of the smell but the most important thing was that they were throwing food. So that’s why no more eggs at Carnival.
A really nice tradition year thru year is the ladies’ night show, you and your group of friends prepare a theme and make your customs, this night is just for you to enjoy, dance, drink and HAVE FUN with your friends and without men LOL.
Carnival Tradition
This celebration lasts a month because of the pre-carnival, 4 Saturdays before the carnival, the contestants present to the city dances and customs. The contestants are of all ages, even if you are a kid you have to prepare months before. Dancing, making colorful customs and even decorate your cars. One of the most important things to do in this Tradition is to choose who will be the king and the queen, this is put to a vote. Candidates make campaigns seeking the greatest support to win the crown. They would be the most important persons at the festivities dancing and making people enjoy more this festivity.
It is a new tradition that on the last Monday, everyone can enroll in a color race, in which with the t-shirt of the race they give you some colored powders so that during the race you have fun throwing color to the people, I’m sure you will laugh during this fun tradition.
The last Monday and Tuesday (last day), all the island stops their activities, no school, no work, no nothing because of the Carnival. On Tuesday, 80,000 people join the waterfront to watch the spectacle, while allegorical and colorful cars circulate through the streets of the Cozumel for 4 hours, spreading happiness to the town. Year to year the Mayor brings famous artists to make it more interesting and attractive. This year we will have one of the most important artists of Latin America, Chayanne would be bringing happiness and his best dance moves to Cozumel. You should listen to him it has very cool songs.
Days of intense joy, music, customs, dance, and colors everywhere around the island each year in February or March.
To enhance your experience even more in this amazing paradise, we highly recommend using our private boat rental, I assure you that you will have the best day.
