Photos: Ancient carnival in Spain wards off evil spirits
Updated On Feb 05, 2020 06:44 PM IST
In Spain, the groups, named “Joaldunak,” after the Basque-language word for cowbells march through the northern towns of Ituren and Zubieta to herald the advent of spring. In one of the most ancient carnival celebrations in Europe, dozens of people don sheepskins, lace petticoats and conical caps, sling cowbells across their backs and parade through two Spanish towns.
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Sheepskins, a conical caps with ribbons and cowbells, elements used by "Joaldunak", are seen on a bench ahead of a Carnival in the small Pyrenees village of Zubieta, northern Spain. In one of the most ancient carnival celebrations in Europe, dozens of people don sheepskins, lace petticoats and conical caps and sling cowbells across their lower backs as they parade to herald the advent of spring. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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A “Joaldunak” is helped to adjust his cowbells before taking part in the traditional carnival. The groups, named “Joaldunak,” after the Basque-language word for cowbells, march through the northern towns of Ituren and Zubieta to herald the advent of spring. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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A group of “Joaldunak” pose for a photograph as they take part in a Carnival. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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The annual procession stems from ceremonies held to ward off evil spirits and bless the harvests to come. The celebration, traditionally held at the end of January, is believed to date from before Roman times. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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A group of “Joaldunak” march along the road as they take part in a Carnival. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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Residents look from a window as “Joaldunaks” march along the street taking part in a carnival. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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