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- Rural tourism in Extremadura
 
 
CELEBRATION OF THE CARANTOŅAS, ACEHUCHE, EXTREMADURA.
 
  Different moments from the celebration. Photographies: Juan Luis Castaņo (927 23 55 28).

 
 
The celebration of the Carantoņas, of Acehuche, festividad of tourist interest has been declared.

This curious festivity coincides with the conclusion of Saint-Sébastien (January 20), owner of Acehúche. Its origin goes up at the time préromaine, although it suffered from the variations throughout the years, being due prinpalement to the diffusion of Christianity.

The festivity of Saint-Sebastian begins the day before, 19, this day the morning the Master of hotel and his/her parents undertake to take again rosemary close to the locality, this one is transported until Acehúche in a vehicle. With the arrival at the village they are received with great acclamation by all the vicinity, resonances of the bells and rockets.

In addition the young people and the children are the people charged to go to seek the "tamborilero", key character of this festivity, in the place known as "White Pivot", very near to the village. This character, with drum and flute traverses this locality during the three days of festivity, while encouraging with his music and his presence.

The Master of festivity is the person charged to support the festivity, this is popularly known like "being used to the saint". Are generally several, for each day of festivity. The generally reason to be disguised is a made promise with Saint-Sebastian.

Day 20 is the great day of Saint-Sebastian. While being dawning of this day it takes place "the alborá". The tamborilero traverses the streets by awaking those which will disguise carantoñas like all the neighbours.

The carantoñas are men disguised with goatskins or ewe. The head be covered with a mask (carátula, here of its name), also of skin, with cuts to be able to see and breathe. This one is decorated with dry sweet peppers, canines, etc. In their hand they carry a dry branch of acebuche or wild olive-tree, although they carry in the past a dry brushwood with much of points, called "tárama".

The carantoñas are always men; one does not know any case where there were women.

Once awaked, all move towards the house of the Masters of hotel, where one will offer crumbs with coffee to them. Then those which will be disguised of carantoñas turn over to their houses to begin the ceremony of the development of their clothing. The friends accompany them to help them in this difficult task. During this time, the Masters of hotel, distribute rosemary "to sprinkle rosemary", taken again the previous day, by the streets by where it will pass the procession.

Other important characters of these festivities are: the "tiraores" and them "will regaoras". Those "tiraores" are groups of young people with guns which germinate with the air their cartridges by arming a great crash and while launching "salvas" with the saint during the procession.

Those "will regaoras", are groups of girls who with the typical combination, called "flannel", accompany with the saint and sprinkle confetis the streets by where it passes the procession.

The carantoñas are not allowed a church, for that they wait in the street patiently.

The exit of Saint-Sebastian of the church is impressive. The "tiraores" and them "will regaoras" are laid out by opening a corridor to let pass the saint. In this moment the tiraores with the unison germinate their guns and them "will regaoras" launch a rain of confetis, while have hears "salvas" with the saint.

The aspect of the carantoñas is impressive. They are always placed in front of the saint, from two to two; they make reverences with the saint by involving the branch of acebuche.

When the procession passes by the house of the majordomo, decorated for the moment, the Master of the hotel or somebody of his family from the balcony says "eha leasing" with the saint. Its contents are variable, but one normally treats praises with the saint or one speaks about the granted favour. In their term those "tirarores" make again sound their guns and the girls throw confetis.

The "cow will tora" is another carantoña is charged to alarm the remainder of the carantoñas and companions by making large revolts. It is to differentiate from the remainder by its large horns which appear under a large cover and hangs a large small bell. Its apparition supposes the end of the festivity.

 
     
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