In Venezuela, the Carnival of El Callao is associated with cannes brulées emancipation celebrations in French-speaking Caribbean islands. It is practiced from January to March and consists of parades with people dressed as characters from history and fantasy as well as calypso music, dancing, and concerts throughout town streets.
Calypso is performed in February and March during carnival month, with the winners being crowned Calypso King and Queen. During Calypso's performance, includes instruments such as drums, four, maracas, guitar, bandolin, violin, and the steel drum. The festival attracts up to 3,000 participants.
The El Callao Carnival celebrates old cultural traditions brought to Venezuela by the English-speaking and French-speaking Caribbean islands. Calypso music from Trinidad and Tobago blended with Caribbean traditions, and Venezuelan folklore influenced the carnival when many migrated to El Callao around 1850 for the gold rush.
El Callao Carnival is the largest carnival in Venezuela and last four days. El Callao has an African culture and influence due to the influence of Africans brought by European explorers during the colonial era. During the 19th century, Trinidadians and other Caribbean islanders started migrating to Venezuela. In particular, they started migrating to El Callao to work in the gold mines. While there, they brought Calypso music with them.
The first official parade was in 1914. People danced to Calypso music of Trinidad and Tobago while wearing extravagant costumes as historical and fantasy characters. The parades begin with the madams (pillars of Callaoense identity representing Antillean matronesses who wear colorful dresses and dance in order to communicate values to the audience); the medio-pintos (young people who entertain audiences by smudging charcoal on those who don't donate); and the devils (people who wear masks, dance in order to maintain order).
In Callaoense, the carnival emphasizes the past and diversity of the community by honoring their African-Antillean links and other community influences. It reinforces their cultural identity, promotes unity, and encourages younger generations to learn about their heritage. The practice is typically passed along within families and schools run by tradition bearers where young people learn skills, such as writing tunes, playing instruments, singing, dancing, or making masks, so they can participate in the carnival.
Today it is hard to imagine that this tiny town with 39,000 residents, which is surrounded by ramshackle tin roofs and tiny gold shops, was once a rich town. As the carnival approaches, El Callao swells four times in size, giving a snapshot of what the town used to look like.