Vijanera
The Vijanera is a winter carnival in the Cantabrian valleys of Iguña, Anievas, Cieza and Toranzo. It only survived in Silió thanks to the Bígaro cultural association, which brought this tradition back to life in 1982, and the “Friends of the Vijanera” cultural association, which subsequently assumed this responsibility. The Vijanera is always celebrated on the first Sunday in January, unless it falls on New Year's Day.
origin
One of the theories connects the Vijanera with the Celtic rite of the winter solstice . Others point to the " Kalendae Ianuarii ", the Roman celebrations in honor of the god Ianus (Sp. Jano), god of the beginning and the end, the entrances and exits, the doors and gates that foretell the future and a good one End can insure. He is often depicted with a double face, which symbolizes two years, good and bad ... He is also the patron saint of the herds and gives his name to the 1288 m high mountain above the valley. Already in the last century bans like the one in the village of Arenas were announced: "... what is called in the villages of this district Viejenera with animal skins and cowbells is strictly forbidden because it does not belong to a civilized country ..." .
features
- The appearance of animal figures indicates the age of the festival, as there are similar figures in the cave paintings of Altamira and Hornos de la Peña - The battle between good and evil that ends with the expulsion of evil spirits. - The dualism between old and new, between the past year and the hope that the new will get better. - The rich versus the poor. - Social criticism through mock poems about the events of the year. - Wine or the local schnapps (orujo) help to get into a trance faster. This “warming up ritual” is called “tomar la parva”. - It is said that some festival rituals are actually fertility rites. The women are smeared with mud or invited to dinner to build bonds and marital bonds. - Although the women are not involved in the staging, they are symbolically present through the rich female figures, which most likely comes from Roman tradition. - The own group is separated from the stranger by the reinforcement of the external borders. This makes the existence of a socio-cultural identity obvious. - The survival of the group is guaranteed either by defending the borders and fields or by symbolically destroying the most dangerous predator in the region.
Similar festivals
Further winter carnivals are celebrated annually in other regions of Europe: Europe: Switzerland, Thrace (Balkans), French Basque Country ... Spain: The carnivals in Ituren and Zubieta (Navarra), the Zamarrones, Guirrios and Sidros in Lena and Siero (Asturias) are excellent , the Peliqueiros (Galicia)… Cantabria: Although many Vijaneras are already lost, we still find Zamarrones in Polaciones and Carabeos in Valdeprado del Río, which correspond to the Danzarines Blancos. But none of these events is as rich in figures and symbolism as the Vijanera.
characters
Danzarines blancos (white dancers): They lead the parade. They are dressed in white with a red sash and bells around the waist that ring with every jump.
Danzarines negros (black dancers): The Zorromoco is dressed in a sack that is decorated with "garabojos". He dances all the time and has to blow the horn to call for war or peace. There is another black dancer who wears little cowbells.
Saquero (man with a bag): He has to collect the collection. At the beginning of the move he walks around in torn clothes with a sack over his shoulder.
Zarramacos : They are very noticeable. They wear sheepskins. On their heads, tied with a scarf, they wear a pointed black hat full of bells, flowers and crowned with horse hair. They wear cowbells - usually 8 in front and 4 in the back - the sound of which is supposed to drive away evil spirits. In total there are between 15 and 20 men and boys.
La zorra (the vixen): She wears a colorful patched coat. Her mask represents a fox's snout. You and the bear are identified with evil.
El zorrocloco : He covered his head and chest with fur. He is dressed in a jacket and woman's stockings and sometimes carries chicken eggs in a basket.
Oso y amo (Bear and Lord): The bear symbolizes evil. When the moon was full, he went to his cave and freed the souls of the deceased, resulting in a longer winter. At the new moon he left again. Therefore the Lord and the Zamarracos blacken their faces before they take the bear out of the cave so that he perceives as little clarity as possible.
Gorilonas y húngaro (Gorillas and Hungarians): The small and large gorillas are led by men dressed in Hungarian who force them to dance again and again, which the audience is rewarded with applause.
Viejo y vieja (old couple): They embody the passage of time. You sometimes carry a newborn child on your back. Their clothing contrasts with the white figures.
Madama, Mancebo and Marquesito (bride, groom and little marquis): She wears a white dress and he a black suit and top hat. The little marquis is a little child with a Napoleon hat. “Los guapos” (the pretty one) is dressed in white with lots of borders and fabrics of the best quality.
La Pepa : A young man with a masked face who symbolically rides an old woman. Bruja y zíngara (witch and gypsy): Both wear masks. The first embodies evil and the last can predict the future.
Preñá y marido (pregnant women and husband): Together with the doctor and the nurses, they are responsible for the birth. The pregnant woman throws an animal every year - for example a chicken.
Trapajeros : You go in rags with a mask and a stick with which you hit the puddles in order to spray the audience with clay. In total, they are between 5 and 10.
Trapajones : corn on the cob, ears of wheat, millet ... These masks include all coverings made of natural elements such as moss, fern, ivy, straw, tree leaves, bark ...
Professions : doctor and nurse, dental plumber, photographer, grinder, Guardias Civiles ... All have different social functions. Other characters: emigrants, knights and servants, Giralda, gypsies ... Every year new ones are invented to parody the authorities - mayor, church etc.
procedure
Before the week : During the previous week, especially on the evening before the festival, the cowbells are carefully tied with damp ropes. The "Trapajones" are also given the finishing touches, as they normally consist of easily perishable natural materials. On the feast day itself, the youngest get acquainted with the rite at 6 or 7 a.m. They announce that today is a special day by striking their tied bells throughout the village.
In the late morning a group makes their way to Colina Park, where the beasts (bear and gorillas) are captured. Then it goes through the village back to the border with the neighboring village of Molledo (Santián district). There peace or war is declared to the neighbors and the answer from the other Vijanera is awaited. Peace is always the answer today. Then you return to the area in front of the school, where ridiculous poems are read out and the birth of the pregnant woman takes place. In the end, the bear is killed in the church square. The collection is then used to celebrate a feast that extends into the night.
Bell-Striker : Time: 7:00 am Meaning: The youngest familiarize themselves with the rite for the first time by proclaiming that it is a special day.
On your marks: Time: 11.00 am Meaning: The participants meet at one point to go hunting the bear together.
Defense of the line : Time: 12.30 pm Meaning: You go to the border with the neighboring village, where another Vijanera used to be waiting. You declare war or peace on them - today always peace.
Mocking poems : Time: 1.30pm Meaning: Satirical poems about the events of the year.
Birth of the pregnant woman : Time: 2:00 pm Meaning: With the birth of an animal, a new year begins.
Bear death : Time: 14.15 Meaning: The bear is surrounded and killed by the men.
Banquet : Time: 14.30 Description: The banquet is financed with the collection. The Zamarracos are meanwhile ready to show their strength to the village.
