Another Sunday Carnaval.

The difference this time was mainly the size of the event, this one was big, in fact it was so big that Marion and I did not even wait till it was all over - even the digital camera was beginning to run hot from overuse.
We found out later that this parade was the final one of three and that all three are very competitive due to the fact that the overall winning group progresses on to compete at an even higher level. Hence, the obvious care taken by each group to impress the judges.




The official party seemed to cover all the local dignitaries, including a Bishop. There were two bands playing the marching music and one entire length of the Plaza lined with military personnel.

After the official flag raising ceremony and the singing of the Peruvian National Anthem the massive parade began in earnest, led by all the assembled military units.




Then they were followed by numerous religious groups, mainly Adventists and the like. Not many Catholic banners in sight! I wondered how the Bishop felt with such a visible absence as the others marched past holding their prayer books and bibles aloft.


Even the various church youth groups were on parade.


We were both rather bemused concerning the appearance of this large bird hovering on top of a motor taxi; possibly a symbolic peace dove, or even a condor.

Last, but definitely not least, came all the local groups displaying all the colour and pageantry of the various regions around Ayacucho. Their music and dancing as they paraded was sensational, if not extremely repetitive!





These are just some of the costumes of the women of the area and I sometimes think that the actual photos do not capture the real colour. Even some of the children take part in the singing and dancing.





I can assure you the men were not to be out done when it came to dressing up, singing and dancing for the parade. One group of men even carried plates of fruit on their heads.

These two young men had made their flutes from grey PVC piping!



These horses and burros added an interesting diversion to the whole affair. The young lady was especially skilful in handling her mount considering she was riding bare back and her horse was not at all comfortable with all the noise and commotion.
These Sunday events are truly amazing and a sight to behold. We now look forward to Semana Santa, Holy Week, and all that the week entails.