22 Feb Carnavalitos de La Pintada, Panama
The Carnival called “Carnavalitos de La Pintada” were created in 1946, with the coronation of its first queen, Enilda Perez de Castroverde, who at that time was 18 years old. In those years, the Carnavalito was held in the Cocle River, today “Los Algarrobos” Spa.
In its beginnings the town celebrated the Carnavalito only with the participation of the Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo. Today, the main attraction is the “comparsas”.
This year five comparsas are participating, some of which have princesses. These are: Los Rumberos (former Runchos) with Olga Núñez, Acción Juvenil or Los Juveniles with Irma Castillo Santamaría , Los Salseros with Yaremis Centeno, princess and her lady Fátima Cedeño, El Elenco, and Rit-Pana. The latter are musical groups that interpret diverse Caribbean or tropical rhythms such as salsa, samba, etc.
However, there was a period of time in which the Carnavalitos were suspended by the authorities because the disputes between Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo degenerated into confrontations, which sometimes turned violent; also the boom of the Carnavales Acuáticos de Penonomé overshadowed the realization of the Carnavalito Pintadeño.
At present, the princesses make their journey accompanied by their troupes and followers through the streets of the town and in the middle of their journey they exchange pleasantries in each of their encounters, without reaching major confrontations as happened in the past. Every day there are “culecos” and popular dances.
Credit to :Panama Tipico
The “CARNAVALITOS DE LA PINTADA” had its “rebirth” since 1986, starting on Friday. Saturday is the gala day with its already famous parade of troupes and floats; Sunday is the day dedicated to highlight the folklore and traditions through the parade where the princesses wear spectacular skirts and the floats are decorated with elements of our national folklore.
A characteristic aspect of the current Carnavalitos de La Pintada is the fact that the groups have already chosen the princesses that will represent them in next year’s Carnavalitos, who lead their respective groups on Sunday night.
On Monday night, the “burial of the sardine” takes place, which is the end of the Carnavalito de La Pintada.
By participating in this tradition, locals and foreigners enjoy lots of water, healthy fun and Creole food; and they will also feel the human warmth of the pintadeños and the land that is the cradle of the “sombrero pintao”, a representative cultural element of this Coclesan region.
Credit for the article :http://fiestas.panamatipico.com/articulo.php?articulo=217
Translation: deepl.com