{"id":64647,"date":"2024-09-30T11:20:28","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T09:20:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/?p=64647"},"modified":"2025-07-31T17:56:55","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T15:56:55","slug":"the-galician-entroido-much-more-than-a-carnival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/en\/the-galician-entroido-much-more-than-a-carnival\/","title":{"rendered":"The Galician Entroido, Much More Than a Carnival"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Galician Entroido, Much More Than a Carnival<\/h1>\n

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The Entroido<\/strong>, an ancestral carnival, dates back centuries. This pagan celebration marked the farewell to the cold winter days.<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”5\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”64615″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1738750423378{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1738753812409{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

(Fel\u00f3s of Maceda, Ourense. Photo: Carlos Ximenez)<\/p>\n

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When Christianity arrived, it blended with the tradition of saying goodbye to meat before the abstinence of Lent. “O Entroido”<\/strong> represents subversion, the breaking of social conventions, and the reversal of roles. During these days, people eat, drink, and sing. They laugh at the most sacred things and can break established rules.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_single_image image=”64615″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1738750463893{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1738753818123{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

(Fel\u00f3s of Maceda, Ourense. Photo: Carlos Ximenez)<\/p>\n

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When Christianity arrived, it blended with the tradition of saying goodbye to meat before the abstinence of Lent. “O Entroido”<\/strong> represents subversion, the breaking of social conventions, and the reversal of roles. During these days, people eat, drink, and sing. They laugh at the most sacred things and can break established rules.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-5 vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Although it is also celebrated in other regions of northern Spain, the most popular and well-attended Entroido<\/strong> takes place in Galicia. In fact, Galicia was one of the few regions in Spain that continued to celebrate carnival despite its prohibition during the dictatorship. Today, these celebrations are officially recognized as festivals of tourist interest.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”64618″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1738750518814{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1738753876188{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

(Boteiro of the Galician Entroido, Viana do Bolo. Photo: Carlos Ximenez)<\/p>\n

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(Boteiro of the Galician Entroido, Viana do Bolo. Photo: Carlos Ximenez)<\/p>\n

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Although it is also celebrated in other regions of northern Spain, the most popular and well-attended Entroido<\/strong> takes place in Galicia. In fact, Galicia was one of the few regions in Spain that continued to celebrate carnival despite its prohibition during the dictatorship. Today, these celebrations are officially recognized as festivals of tourist interest.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”5\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”64627″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1738750689720{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1738753916450{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

(Boteiro of the Entroido in Vilari\u00f1o de Conso, Ourense. Photo: Carlos Ximenez)<\/p>\n

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The Entroido<\/strong> is one of the most important festivals of the year in Galicia, and each town has its own characters: Os Peliqueiros<\/strong> of Laza, Os Cigarr\u00f3ns<\/strong> of Ver\u00edn, As Pantallas<\/strong> of Xinzo de Limia, Os Xenerais do Ulla<\/strong>, Os Boteiros<\/strong> of Viana do Bolo, Os Volantes<\/strong> of Chantada, Os Merdeiros<\/strong> of Vigo, As Madamas e Gal\u00e1ns<\/strong> of Cobres, O Oso<\/strong> of Salcedo, Os Felos<\/strong> of Maceda, Os Vellar\u00f3ns<\/strong> of Castrelo de Cima, As M\u00e1scaras<\/strong> of Manzaneda, to name a few.<\/p>\n

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(Boteiro of the Entroido in Vilari\u00f1o de Conso, Ourense. Photo: Carlos Ximenez)<\/p>\n

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The Entroido<\/strong> is one of the most important festivals of the year in Galicia, and each town has its own characters: Os Peliqueiros<\/strong> of Laza, Os Cigarr\u00f3ns<\/strong> of Ver\u00edn, As Pantallas<\/strong> of Xinzo de Limia, Os Xenerais do Ulla<\/strong>, Os Boteiros<\/strong> of Viana do Bolo, Os Volantes<\/strong> of Chantada, Os Merdeiros<\/strong> of Vigo, As Madamas e Gal\u00e1ns<\/strong> of Cobres, O Oso<\/strong> of Salcedo, Os Felos<\/strong> of Maceda, Os Vellar\u00f3ns<\/strong> of Castrelo de Cima, As M\u00e1scaras<\/strong> of Manzaneda, to name a few.<\/p>\n

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All costumes and masks are handcrafted by local artisans. The richly decorated costumes are often passed down from generation to generation. In Xinzo de Limia<\/strong>, you can visit the Galician Entroido Museum<\/strong>, which collects and exhibits costumes from different municipalities.<\/p>\n

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(Entroido Riberao Mask. Photo: Carlos Ximenez)<\/p>\n

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(Entroido Riberao Mask. Photo: Carlos Ximenez)<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

All costumes and masks are handcrafted by local artisans. The richly decorated costumes are often passed down from generation to generation. In Xinzo de Limia<\/strong>, you can visit the Galician Entroido Museum<\/strong>, which collects and exhibits costumes from different municipalities.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”5\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”64621″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1738751097223{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1738754035387{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

(Boteiros of the Entroido in Vilari\u00f1o de Conso, Ourense. Photo: Carlos Ximenez)<\/p>\n

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Carnival-like celebrations with unique characters and legends can be found in many countries and cultures worldwide. Despite the distance, some share many common elements with the Entroidos<\/strong> of the Iberian Peninsula.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_single_image image=”64621″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1738751149281{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1738754042722{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

(Boteiros of the Entroido in Vilari\u00f1o de Conso, Ourense. Photo: Carlos Ximenez)<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Carnival-like celebrations with unique characters and legends can be found in many countries and cultures worldwide. Despite the distance, some share many common elements with the Entroidos<\/strong> of the Iberian Peninsula.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-5 vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

In 2017, we attended the Entroido<\/strong> and met Paco Di\u00e9guez Blanco<\/strong>, a mask artisan from Matam\u00e1. We visited his workshop, where he carves and sculpts the wood, while his daughter paints the masks. It was a wonderful experience and an honor to meet him.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”64639″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1738752082090{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_single_image image=”64639″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1738752250548{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

In 2017, we attended the Entroido<\/strong> and met Paco Di\u00e9guez Blanco<\/strong>, a mask artisan from Matam\u00e1. We visited his workshop, where he carves and sculpts the wood, while his daughter paints the masks. It was a wonderful experience and an honor to meet him.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1\/4″ offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”64636″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1738752532468{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″ offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”64630″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1738752457149{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_single_image image=”64636″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1738752502937{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”64630″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1738752514570{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”5\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″ offset=”vc_hidden-xs”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-4 vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

One of our favorite photographers of the Iberian Entroidos<\/strong> is Carlos Ximenez<\/a>. We have been following his work for many years, and his photographs illustrate this post.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

One of our favorite photographers of the Iberian Entroidos<\/strong> is Carlos Ximenez<\/a>. We have been following his work for many years, and his photographs illustrate this post.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Entroido, an ancestral carnival, dates back centuries. This pagan celebration marked the farewell to the cold winter days.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":64621,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-64647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sin-categorizar","category-1","description-off"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Boteiros-del-Entroido-de-Vilarino-de-Conso-2.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64647"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64647\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":138232,"href":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64647\/revisions\/138232"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casaatlantica.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}