The Carnival of The Legua

Every year in December, in the La Legua neighborhood, a carnival is organized by neighbors of the sector. The self-management and the recovery of the territory has taken the form of resistance to the violence of the state and the violence of drug trafficking.

The social vulnerability of the territory and the historical memory represented by the Legua motivate the active participation of organized neighbors.The carnival preparations begin months before, different groups of comparsas collaborate to manage the bands, in addition to the technical preparations.

That day everything is full of decorations, banners, and a lot of joy in a sector that usually only has repression.

My personal experience with the carnival of The Legua is dancing in a group called La Espectacular Osada del Zanjón. This group was created especially for this carnival, its dance is inspired by an Andean dance from Ayquina, the characters in this group are Bears, Kusillos, Cholas, Milkmaids and Bulls.

My character is Lechera, who represents the fertility within the cosmovision of the dance, for the clothing its main characteristic is a big skirt with ten layers. I love to participate in this dance and this carvanal.

Finally, the experience of carnival of The Legua is a sign of resistance, recovery of streets and strengthening of the community.