Carnival in Lazarim

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Carnival in Lazarim is celebrated as in olden times, is synonymous with merry making, masks and licentiousness. Carnival is a rivalry between the Compadres (men's groups) and the Comadres (women's groups). The masks are made of alder wood and by 4 men in the village. The masks are different from year to year and complete the costumes worn by the participants. Carnival is preceded by the week of the Compadres and the Comadres when the 2 associations try to raise funds for the feast and prepare in total secrecy the "testaments" that will be read on "Fat Tuesday". The revelry begins on "Fat Sunday" afternoon. The masked participants arrive, the bands play, the decorated cars jam up, the folk dancing begins and there is the parade of "Giants". On "Fat Tuesday" the Compadres and Comadres appear in public, made of paper, filled with gunpowder and fire crackers which will be burned. The flesh and blood Compadres and Comadres begin to read the testaments, these are rhyming verses of verbal battles between the sexes. They are full of innuendoes, jokes and naughtiness. After these are read, the effigies are burned and the parade goes on to the place where the grand finale will take place. This is followed by a bean feast, soup and wine.

It is believed that Carnival originated from the Roman saturnalias. It is a Spring event and rejuvenates the lives of the people.