Viana Do Bolo

The origins of Entrudio have been lost in time. There are several theories, one of which suggests that it dates from pre-Roman times, when rites related to agriculture and livestock were celebrated at this time. However, as we know it today, it began to be celebrated at the beginning of the 20th century. In one way or another, many consider Viana do Bolo's Carnival as one of the most deeply rooted and traditional among those celebrated in Galicia. Being part of a traditional culture, the rituals and knowledge has passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. This explains the scarcity of written documentation that means we can only certify the existence of Entrudio from the beginning of the 20th century.

It's evident that the complexity and variety of the tradition has reduced with the passage of time. Both the writings and the oral and photographic testimonies give accounts of lost figures and practices such as the corrida do galo, the reis de gaos, the entrudio, the zamarreiro, the vella, the foguetes, the traditional clothing of the boteiros of Quintela do Pando and Fradelo or the fuliadas.

 

There are two main reasons for these losses: Firstly, the area has depopulated – there is a lack of people in many of the smaller villages. Secondly, a change in attitudes has banished many of the cruder practices and figures.

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But many survive: the fariña, the fuliones, three different types of Barcoiros (Viana, Fornelos de Filloás and Vilarmeao), the comparsas (recovered in 2019), the mulo, the lardeiros and some characters exclusive to specific villages, such as the case of la patumada, from Fornelos de Filloás.

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Pedro Basalo Bembibre, Robreda Cultural Association