The Caribbean coastal city of Cienaga brings its folklore to life as it dances through the streets celebrating the legend of the Cienagueran Cayman.
Dance and folk groups from all over the country will join locals and visitors in celebrating the coast’s rich folklore through dance and poetry from now until Saturday.
Festivities start at 4PM Wednesday, when the groups set off from various points around the city, dancing through the streets and making stops along the way to recite and perform.
All routes lead to the city’s Centennial Park, where a main stage will be erected for the dance troupes to perform throughout the festival, accompanied by orchestras.
Groups including children, seniors and schools will compete in various categories in front of a panel of judges, with the winning dancers presented with prizes on Saturday 21.
The local Mayor’s office have announced various safety precautions to ensure public order during the festivities, including closing the city’s beaches during certain times, and prohibiting the sale of fireworks and glass containers.
The festival was started eight years ago in an attempt to keep folkloric traditions of the region alive. The current festival follows a long history of bringing the 100-year-old story to life in Cienaga, which before included men dressing as crocodiles and going from house to house dancing, singing and collecting donations.
The original legend tells of a little girl named Tomasita, who disappeared the day of her birthday when she went to buy things for her party. Though fishermen searched the coast for her she was never found, and as the story has it, was eaten by a crocodile.
More information can be found on the festival’s official website.
