A group of Joaldunaks called Zanpantzar, take part in the Carnival between the Pyrenees villages of Ituren and Zubieta, northern Spain, Monday, Jan. 29, Basque Country's Ituren Carnival is known to be the oldest pagan festival in Europe, and it comes with a dark twist. For many, the idea of a Carnival conjures up images of bright colours, laughter and celebrations. However the Ituren Carnival symbolises the on-going struggle between good and bad, or light and dark. Young men symbolise the 'good' and dress in sheepskins, with cow bells wrapped around their waists. According to legend,
A group of Joaldunaks called Zanpantzar, take part in the Carnival between the Pyrenees villages of Ituren and Zubieta, northern Spain, Monday, Jan. 29, Basque Country's Ituren Carnival is known to be the oldest pagan festival in Europe, and it comes with a dark twist. For many, the idea of a Carnival conjures up images of bright colours, laughter and celebrations. However the Ituren Carnival symbolises the on-going struggle between good and bad, or light and dark. Young men symbolise the 'good' and dress in sheepskins, with cow bells wrapped around their waists. According to legend, the jingle of the bells wards off bad spirits. On their heads, they wear extravagant hats with ribbon details. Meanwhile, the other villagers (women, children and older men) dress as bad spirits and wear eerie masks and dark clothing. (Photo by Mikel Cia Da Riva / Pacific Press)
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Keywords: ituren, joaldunak, spain, tradition, vasque, zampanzar, zubieta
