CHARACTERS
AND FEATURES
BOTEIRO
The boteiro is the most emblematic and striking figure of the Entrudio of Viana do Bolo.
Depending on their area of origin,
the costumes and dynamics of the boteiro change. The functions of the boteiro are (and have always been) closely linked to the fulion, leading in the fulion like heralds.
Responsible for crowd control,
they charge up and down the streets, pushing people aside with their monca, the long staff, and lowering their headgear to push spectators aside. Shaking the bells on their belts, they use the moncas to leap into the air in displays of skill and strength.
FULIóN
The residents of Viana do Bolo and the surrounding villages get together to go out to play the fulión through the streets of their own or neighbouring towns, where they are received with open arms.
Fulión is a group of neighbours who, playing traditional instruments such as drums and trowels, walk the streets beating out the particular rhythm that's particular to their village.
FARIÑA
In Viana do Bolo the tradition of
botar fariña, covering each other in flour, is an essential part of Entrudio. From Compadres Thursday, the day that Entrudio officially begins in Viana, the compadres (men) can go after the women with handfuls of the white stuff.
On Comadres Thursday the tables turn, as it's the ladies who have free reign. From then on it's every man and woman for themselves – open season on flouring.
The battle grows to a frenzy on
the last Saturday and Tuesday of Entrudio, as the entire main square
is covered in white, as if snow has fallen.
COMPARSA and DISPUTAS
A comparsa is made up of a group of young people from a village who travel around the area during Entrudio to other neighbouring places, presenting theatrical performances known as disputas.
These groups feature fixed characters: the director, the young lady or madama, the clown, the musicians and the boteiros.
LARDEIROS
The lardeiros are effigies that represent Entrudio. Originally, were made with stolen clothes (boys stealing girls' clothes and vice versa). They used to be hung in the highest and most inaccessible places so that the
owners could not retrieve their clothes. There they would remain until Entrudio ended.
Lardeiros also parodied and ridiculed masculine and feminine excesses, hence, in each one, certain attributes are exaggerated.
The lardeiros are burned at midnight on the last day, Tuesday, of Entrudio. This represents, in some way, the end of Entrudio. .
THE MULE
The mule is another important figure, exclusive to the town of Viana.
An equine skull and a shaped wooden frame are supported
by a pole and covered with a blanket or cloth. The identity of the two people inside thereby remains a secret.
The mule's job is to kick and rebel against its handler, the maragato, provoking laughter and leading the way
for the fulión .
FLOATS
On 'Fat Sunday' alongside the fuliones, come the floats. They floats offer a touch of both tradition and modernity to the parade, as they represent from classic vintage scenes.
You'll see the everything from the slaughterer, the knife sharpener and other traditional jobs, to political criticism of current news, ongoing scandals or TV programmes.
The floats, though extremely complex, are made with materials collected in the local area, such as tree branches, wood, stones, etc. In the gallery you'll see some of the many incredible floats that have joined in the parade of Viana do Bolo's Entrudio.