If there is any indication of how crazy Carnaval will be tonight, it has to be the crazy amount of painting that was taking place yesterday, the second day of the San Pedro Carnaval Festivities. Herds of Carnaval revelers took to the street to enjoy painting each other and there was paint and eggs flying all around the place. What was great to see last night was the amount of Comparsas that took to street dancing; there were actually seven groups that livened up the town with their great musical compositions and dance routines.
Coming out with Comparsa groups on Monday, February 20, 2012, were:
* The San Pedro AIDS Commission: with a rendition of the Belizean Mennonites and their produce
* Doña Flora's Group: that dressed up as the Belizean Garifuna and celebrated their culture with authentic dresses, headbands and accessories
* Pablo's Girls: always entertaining with a tribute to Don Juan Carnaval
* Isla Bonita Elementary School: had their version of Don Juan Carnaval dancing with his bevy of beautiful girls
* Isla Bonita Elementary School: (Group 2) danced to “Hey Mickey” to raise funds for the Miss Isla Bonita Elementary Pageant
*Ambergris Caye Elementary School: (ACES) stepped out with a comparsa dancing to Lambada and Shakira’s Waka Waka
* The Dynamic Dancers: performed a comparsa of “Los Negritos”
Lots of preparations take place to organize a Comparsa – there is the writing of the lyrics, composing the songs, getting the costumes ready and then rehearsals. In the end, all the groups put on a fantastic show for everybody to enjoy during Carnaval. Keep on enjoying San Pedro’s Carnaval Festivities on this the last day of painting and dancing. (Click Here for Carnaval Day One)
Anonymous (not verified) –
While the tradition can be fun and entertaining, I beleve that some kind of supervision needs to take place (police or a committee) because some people have forgotten or maybe don't even know the true meaning behind Carnaval and take this time to be very destructive. Children, teens and even some adults take advantage of this time to vandalise people/businesses' property and even to hurt each other. The beautiful island of San Pedro is in a complete mess with paint all over the place..there should be designated areas where the painting can take place. There must be some level of supervision because some people have no care for other people's property..why don't they just paint each other? why do they need to vandalise park benches, slides, storewindows, walls etc..the mess goes on!!! Something really should be done to control the way "Carnaval" is celebrated or to educate people (especially the younger ones) what it really means and what is and is NOT acceptable. I wonder..will these same people who willingly came out to vandalise LA ISLA BONITA take time out to go out and help clean up the mess to make it "bonita" again?? I THINK NOT!!!
Anonymous (not verified) –
i agree with you about vandalism of private property...and hurting people....!!
so.... where is your designated spot .....if the people know where it is... the can easily find you ...and paint you up real good....!!
Anonymous (not verified) –
I agree that there should be some ground rules…..Remember
you all live from tourism and the beauty of
San Pedro and what it has to
offer. In reference to the meaning of Carnival well I don’t even know but I
remember playing it when I was a child.
I would have loved to be there celebrating and painting each other like the old
days with my cousins…..who are now all grown up. I saw the comparsas and my grown cousins all
over Facebook having so much fun……good times and good traditions of all of us
Sanpedranos….