Portuguese attend Careto festival in Northeast

Monday, 08 February 2016 4:16 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 08 February 2016 4:15 PM ]

Some participants dress up as "Caretos" to take part in a carnival parade in Podence, near Macedo de Cavaleiros in northeastern on February 7, 2016.

Portuguese are marking the Careto festival, which is a pre-historical Celtic religious ritual still practiced in some regions of the country, namely in the villages of Podence.

Participants dressed up as "Caretos" gather around a giant effigy made of broom, as they take part in Podence carnival, in northeastern Portugal.

People wearing bells and dressed in shaggy costumes of red, yellow and green run through the streets, bringing the town’s carnival celebration to life.

The masked men show strength and vitality and have become mythical and sacred symbols, which are quite out of control because they come from nowhere in large noisy groups, spreading excitement and laughter and most of their fascination is due to their curious garments and ornaments.

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