Santiago

The Carnival Tradition in Santiago, the second most important city in the country and located in the center of the island, takes place mostly in the La Joya, Los Pepines and Pueblo Nuevo neighborhoods where, every February, the Limping Devils or the Pork Eaters invade the city with their blast of color and music.



The costumes of these strange devils are part of the tradition. Their horns have been specially designed for the Limping Devil, or lechon who was banished to the earth for being a clownish prankster. The other popular characters who for years have participated in Carnival and are an integral part of the celebrations include Nicolás Dan Dan (a fat, dirty dancing bear), A Que No Me Quemas el Papelón (Don’t make a fool of me), Los Galleros ( a short play with a rooster), The Indians and The Transvestites are the most outstanding.