New Year

New YearOne of the most unique holidays in Ecuador is the New Year. In addition to the festive atmosphere, together with family and friends, on the night of December 31 to January 1, it is customary to make dolls of different rags the size of a human.

These dolls are made of paper, sawdust, and old clothes. Moreover, dolls, as a rule, give an idea of the outgoing year – portraits of political figures, various symbols of the year, symbols associated with past events are attached to them.

At exactly twelve in the morning, the dolls are burned at the stake. But before that, they are carried through the streets across the city. But the tradition of dolls does not end there. Many men dress in black women's terry clothes and jokingly begin to walk around the houses or streets, crying and begging for a funeral for a doll - portray widows.

Also popular are readings of dolls’ wills, which include criticism of the past year and hopes for the future. These wills are written deeply, with great talent.