Draft:Fiesta del Principe San Miguel in Ecuador

THE FEAST OF PRINCIPE SAN MIGUEL IN SALCEDO The Feast of the Principe San Miguel also known as "Entradas del Patron" or "Fiesta del Patron" is a traditional celebration in the town of Salcedo, Cotopaxi province of Ecuador. The feast is a celebration in honor of the patron-saint of the city, the Archangel Saint Michael. The pagan rite with ancestral aboriginal dances and libations are combined with the culture and religion of the Spanish conquerors HISTORY In the center of modern-day Ecuador, likely since the end of the 16th century, the aboriginal group known as San Miguel de Mollambato, begins the celebration of its patron saint, the Archangel Saint Michael, also known as Prince Saint Michael. The celebration takes place annually on September 29th; date in which the Catholic Church celebrates the Archangel Saint Michael. Because of the excessive cost of the feast and the excessive consumption of alcohol, its celebration was interrupted in the fourth decade of the twentieth century; however, inspired by popular demand and respect for its religious and cultural significance, in the year 1997, the local priest, Antonio Vaca, facilitated the rebirth of this folkloric and religious expression.[1] COMPONENTS The feast has several components as follows: • Visperas (Fireworks the night prior): music and dance accompanied of bonfires, fireworks and paper balloons powered by hot air. • "Passing" of offerings: flowers, candles and "nacidos" (sprouts); procession of the faithful with musical bands playing sacred music, carrying the patron saint sculpture from the Temple to the place chosen for the celebration of the open-air Mass. • Open-air Mass • Parade that begins after the Open-air Mass and consists of thirty-three groups of costumed participants who have appeared throughout the four hundred and fifty years of the celebration, and which is known as the "Entry of the Patron Saint." • Popular bullfights conclude the celebration, always accompanied by abundant typical food and drink such as roasted pork (hornado), chicha, and "mistelas." PERSONAJES DE LA ENTRADA DEL PATRON Article 14 of the "Regulations for the Patron Saint Feast" states: The following are expressly recognized as being the characters (participants) of the "Patron Saint's Entrance": 1)The Prioste couple, (characters). 2)The Urinsaya accompanying group, (group). 3)The Hanansayas accompanying group, (group). 4) The fruit sellers, (choreography). 5) The Flag bearer, (character). 6) The Capitan, (character). 7) The Sergeants, (group). 8) The Maestrocampo, (character). 9) The Alférez, (group). 10) The Saumeriantes (incense burners), (group). 11) The Loeros or Loantes, (allegory). 12) The Vaca Loca, (choreography). 13) The Mama Negra, (group). 14) The Urcuyaya, (allegory). 15) The Guacos, (allegory). 16) The Chicheros, (choreography). 17) The Caporales, (choreography). 18) The Hairdressers, (choreography). 19) The Guarichas y Camisonas, (choreography). 20) The Floor Sweepers (caparichis), (choreography). 21) The Hornaderas, (choreography) 22) The Gypsies, (choreography). 23) The Monkeys, (group). 24) The Bears, (group). 25) The , (group). 26) The Tigers, (group). 27) The Cóndors, (group). 28) The Vultures, (group). 29) The Ice cream sellers, (choreography). 30) The Pinol makers, (group). 31) The chickens and the herons, (choreography). 32) The Yumbos, (choreography). 33) The Moors, (group of horse riders).

References

<ref>https://www.patrimoniocultural.gob.ec/fiesta-principe-san-miguel-de-salcedo/<ref> <ref>Navas Alban Jorge Oswaldo. El Canton Salcedo: Síntesis De Sus Valores Espirituales Y Físicos. 1984. Graficas Mosquera. Quito, Ecuador. Primera Edicion<ref>