What don’t you know me?
Miguelturra’s Carnival
The probable origin of the carnival celebrations could well be the pagan festivals that were held in honor of the Greek god Dionysus or the Roman Bacchus, the Roman Saturnalia and Lupercalia, or in ancient Egypt in honor of the Apis ox. These festivities had debauchery, satire, jokes and disobedience of the people as a common denominator, being celebrated at the beginning of spring.
The word carnival comes from the medieval Latin ‘carnelevarium’, meaning ‘to remove meat’, referring to the religious prohibition of meat consumption during the Christian Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday.
According to the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) dictionary, the word carnival is defined as a popular festival preceding Lent, consisting of masquerades, parades, dances, and other boisterous festivities.
During the Middle Ages, Carnival was revived. Despite restrictions and persecution for violating and disrespecting the religious rules so strict at the time, dances and parties were held with abundant food and drink to confront the abstinence of Lent.
Philip IV, a very carnival-loving king
The rise of carnival in Spain came with the reign of Philip IV. During his reign, festive celebrations, and especially masquerades, reached their peak. He lifted the bans on carnival and masks imposed by Charles I and Philip II.
The carnival festivity is not exempt from art, in painting with paintings such as ‘The Combat between Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma’ by Pieter Brueghel the Elder from 1559, ‘The Burial of the Sardine’ by Francisco de Goya at the beginning of the 19th century or ‘The Harlequin’s Carnival’ by Joan Miró from 1925.
2015. Piñata Sunday Parade
Carnival and literature
One of the great references to carnival in literature is ‘The Book of Good Love’ by the Archpriest of Hita (1283-1359), which tells of the challenge between Carnal Gift and Lady Lent.
In 1842, the writer and journalist Ramón de Mesoneros Romanos, described in the ‘Matritense Scenes’ the burial of the sardine organized on the outskirts of Madrid.
In 1896, Rubén Darío dedicated a poem to the carnival entitled ‘Carnival Song’ in his book ‘Profane Prose and Other Poems’, the verses of which are as follows:
Muse, the mask prepares,
rehearse a jovial air
and enjoy and laugh at the party
of the Carnival.
Laugh in the spinning dance,
shows the pink leg,
and it sounds, like a lyre,
your laughter.
To fly lighter
put on two rose leaves
how does your partner do
the butterfly.
And that in your smiling mouth
who joins the joyful chorus
leave the Buenos Aires bee
its golden honey.
Join the masquerade
and while a clown grimaces
with a painted face
as Frank Brown;
while Harlequin reveals
that steals its tints from the prism
and Pulchinela appears
with his hump
tell Colombina the beautiful
what I think of her,
and uncork a bottle
for Pierrot.
Que él te cuente cómo rima
sus amores con la Luna
y te haga un poema en una
pantomima.
Give the serenade to the air,
plays the golden mandolin,
carries a silver whip
for the spleen.
Be lyrical and be bizarre;
with the zither be Greek;
or gaucha, with the guitar
its pearls, dyes and lace
by Santos Vega.
Move your splendid torso
through the picturesque streets
and plays and decorates the Corsican
the victory of your laughter
with fresh roses.
Pearls water a treasure
de Andrade in the nest region
and in Guido’s hut
gold dust.
Sorrows and mournings forget,
sing delights and loves;
look for the flower of flowers
for Florida:
with harmony you love
of crystal rhymes,
and deleaves their plants,
a madrigal
Pirouette, dance, inspire
crazy and jovial verses;
celebrate the joyful lyre
the carnivals.
Their screams and their songs,
their troupes and their costumes,
its pearls, dyes and lace
and pompoms.
And carry the swift breeze,
Sonora, Argentine, fresh,
the victory of your laughter
tightrope walk!
The celebration of carnival in Miguelturra is lost in time
Manchego Town
February 12, 1917
The carnival celebrations in Miguelturra are lost in time, passed down verbally from one generation to the next.
There are few documents that can prove an approximate date. Two of these documents, the oldest found so far, are dated February 19 and 26, 1898. Both belong to the publication Juventud Torralbeña and have been digitized by the Center for Studies of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM).
They prove the existence of two carnival dances, one in the Friendship Center and the other in the Liberal Circle, confirming the popularity of the Miguelturra Carnival at the end of the 19th century.
Before Spanish Civil War, Carnival had two different parts the religious and the profane.
The religious part enjoyed the celebrations of the Jubilee or Exercise of the XL Hours, whose services were composed of masses, adoration and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament where the most absolute respect prevailed.
The bustle of the carnival was prohibited in the area of the Parish and its surroundings, places where the masks were admitted without their disguises.
Once Spanish Civil War ended, the religious Carnival gradually declined until its disappearance with the beginning of the democracy.
The article dated from 26th of February of 1898 ends as follow:
‘In short, and to conclude this unbearable can,
I will say very loudly so that the whole world knows,
that in Miguelturra we had a great time during the carnival;
that there is joy until death,
but little desire to work.
The Street Mask is the hallmark of the Miguelturra Carnival
1975 Street Mask
Photo by Carlos Robledo
In contrast to the religious aspect is the secular, festive, and popular aspect. A festival that shares its own unique identity with the “Street Mask“. This figure is the essence of the Miguelturra Carnival and the aspect that sets it apart from other carnivals.
This figure that characterizes the Miguelturra Carnival, ‘The Street Mask’, is cheeky and playful, disguised in old or unused clothes, rags or scraps stored in trunks and closets awaiting the arrival of the carnival.
She fills the town’s main streets with color and joy, her face covered to avoid recognition by a mask, a blindfold, or a simple rag with two holes at eye level and another over the mouth. She jokes with locals and strangers in a shrill, strident voice, shouting, “What don’t you know me?” and using phrases like:
‘Uuuyyyyyy how clumsy you are’
‘with the time we have spent together and you don’t know me’
‘aaamoooooosss how stupid you are’
‘Wow, look, look, look, What don’t you know me? turning on itself’
With these and similar phrases, their sole objective is to stir up confusion, bewilderment, and laughter in their victims. They avoid being recognized, so they can gloat over them in the days to come.
2014. El Alhiguí
Photo Manuel Viso
The Alhiguí
Before the beginning of the Civil War and among the masks, a character called The Alhiguí (in other towns he is known as el higuí) was mixed. It was a mask that carried a long rod or cane, on which a pepper or a fig was hung with a rope. He would take advantage of large groups of people to create a commotion and throw candies or chestnuts, shouting, “To the Alhiguí, to the Alhiguí, not with your hand, but with your mouth“. Meanwhile, the kids would try to take the fig or pepper hanging from the stick. This character was becoming less popular until his disappearance, although nowadays he still shows himself occasionally.
The ‘murgas’, ‘estudiantinas’ (also known as tunas) and ‘comparsas’, were in charge of giving the spicy and informal touch with their music and songs (well-known as ‘coplillas’). Today we remember them through the Murga and Chirigota competition. While on the streets, they have been replaced by the brass bands that add musical color to the festival. The comparsas can be seen parading on ‘Piñata Sunday’, the last day of the Carnival.
The dances
Shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War, Miguelturra was still holding two dances, organized by the Union and the Casino. A fierce rivalry existed between the two centers, and they competed to see which dance was better or lasted longer, giving rise to folk songs like the one from 1935.
Carnival Tuesdayt
wo dances have been held,
wins both casinos
the Republican Center.
The others are willing
to give them the chocolate,
and we to eat
fried meat with tomato.
There the dance lasted
sixteen hours, sure,
and here twenty four,
sharing a good cigar.
The two Boards are invited
them with fair modesty,
and which of the two is agitated?
those of S.A. at the door.
They have eaten
very tough meat,
but here they have stopped
a good fried meat.
Very tough goat meat
in the Union they ate,
and here we have had enough
of lamb fritica.
They with many pesetas
they have not had humor,
and we have had
blood… and a good heart.
To the tireless girls
of this Liberal center,
we must give a cheer
to all in general.
Long live our president
which is Mr. Damián Corral,
and long live the entire meeting
of the Liberal Casino.
Ancient songs tell
very obvious truths,
but they must be told
so that people understand.
God rules in heaven
in the country side the gypsies,
in the town of Miguelturra
Republicans rule.
And in this town gentlemen
Who rules at the Carnival:
the Culture Center
or the Liberal Casino?
The Baton Man
The centers had their own private security guard, “The Baton Man“. A figure who ensured proper decorum and behavior. Armed with a tall pole with colorful ribbons and bells, he would warn anyone who misbehaved.
After the Civil War, the dances were revived. They were held in two centers: the Workers’ Center and the Casino, the latter occupying the premises of the defunct Catholic Agrarian Union, now the Day Center. The entrance to the dances was only allowed to members and they had to remove their masks to prove their identity to a member of the board.
Prohibitions and the Civil War could not stop the Miguelturra Carnival.
Prohibitions and restrictions
of the Carnival
Not even the Civil War could stop Carnival, although it remained largely confined to the neighborhoods during the terrible conflict that ravaged Spain. Dictatorships and prohibitions were even less so; not even time has been able to stop the joy of the Churriego Carnival.
Among other prohibitions that attempted to put an end to Carnival was the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera and his Royal Circular Order No. 86 of February 19, 1929. Carnival holidays became working days, limited to the first Sunday of Carnival and the piñata Sunday. Consequently, any carnival events outside of these two Sundays were prohibited.
From the Official State Gazette (B.O.E.), carnival celebrations are prohibited.
In the midst of the Civil War, on February 5, 1937, the suspension of carnivals in the national zone was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) No. 108. Finally, in the Official State Gazette (BOE) of January 13, 1940, page 277, Serrano Suñer signed the order maintaining the absolute ban on the celebration of Carnival festivities. This ban remained in place until the end of the Franco dictatorship in 1975.
Carnival is celebrated on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Piñata Sunday. Monday and Tuesday were the busiest days, because on Sundays the Civil Guard of Ciudad Real used to come to disperse those who dared to dress up. 1947 is the only year in memory in which the visit of the Civil Guard was on horseback and it was done because of a complaint from a neighbor.
A carnival without disturbances, only civil disobedience
Civil disobedience is the only thing that repression and prohibitions achieve in our town. No serious clashes occur during this time, except for the persecution of the masks by the municipal police and the Civil Guard.
The masks escaped their pursuers by passing through houses. In many cases, the doors remained open, providing an escape route. They jumped over walls or scaled walls to reach the roofs. All this to avoid arrest and fines. With resignation, the fined man proudly showed it off despite the pain in his pocket.
Mayors, councilors and even some other Civil Governor dared to break the prohibitions that themselves remembered to all year to year. Amalio Segura, second King of the Miguelturra Carnival, left us the following written in his own hand:
‘January 31, 1948 was the last document signed by Mayor Manuel Ramos. The first of February 1948 was Carnival Sunday and the eighth Sunday of Piñata. On February 9th or 10th, Manuel Ramos was dismissed as mayor, telegraphically and by order of the Civil Governor of the Province for refusing to respect the order prohibiting the Miguelturra Carnival’.
1935. Disguised women in carnival
The arrival of democracy triggers the expansion of the carnival
The beginning of democracy and the long-awaited freedom triggered the expansion of Carnival.
Not only in Miguelturra, but also in countless towns and cities across Spain. The street mask finally takes to the streets without restrictions. The first carnival groups began to form, and in December 1981, the Cultural Association of Carnival Peñas was founded. The following groups have been members: Old Glories, The Ham, The Chambra, The Goat, The Reapers, The Hat, Yellow Baron, 21st Century, Young Rebels, The Jester, Pioneers of the West, Manchegan Crafts, The Top Hat, Impotent Chotos, Zurraspaos Underpants, The Shoe Polish, The Mistreated, The Disaster, The Sopones, The Smothered, Major Masks, The Cansaliebres, Alhiguí Charanga, El Puntillo, Cultural Athenaeum, The Rocheros, Kapikúa, Fregquísimos, Heirs of Loquilandia and Spartan
Our Peñas
The existing groups are: The Ham, The Goat, The Reapers, Yellow Baron, The Jester, The Battered, Major Masks, Los Cansaliebres, Charanga Alhiguí, The Dot, Cultural Athenaeum, Los Rocheros, Kapikúa, Fegquísimos, Heirs of Loquilandia, children’s choir and Spartan.
In 2021, the Historical-Cultural Association carnavaldemiguelturra.es was created to promote the Miguelturra Carnival by acquiring and digitizing documents, photographs, and videos of the Carnival festivities. It is also responsible for maintaining the website carnavaldemiguelturra.es, created in 2017. Since then, it has served as the official website of the Cultural Association of Miguelturra Carnival Peñas.
City Council and Peñas promote Carnival
Thanks to the creation of the Cultural Association of Carnival Clubs, the expansion of activities within the ten days of the Churriego Carnival is facilitated. All events and competitions are organized in conjunction with the City Council. The festival is so widely promoted that on March 1, 1983, it was declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest. Exactly one year later, on March 1, 1984, the Provincial Council of Ciudad Real declared it a Festival of Traditional and Cultural Interest.
Once again, the Miguelturra Carnival received another recognition and on February 8, 2018, the Secretary of State for Tourism resolved that the Miguelturra Carnival be declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest, BOE No. 47, Sec. III, page 20826 of February 22, 2018, will make said declaration official.
The Miguelturra Carnival
is declared a
Festival of Cultural Interest.
Declaration as a Party
of Regional Tourist Interest
Declaration as a Party
of National Tourist Interest
The Summer Carnival
The first Summer Carnival will be held on June 16, 2018, to commemorate the declaration of the Miguelturra Carnival as a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
At the Carnival Palace, a recognition was made to all those people and clubs that have made it possible for the Miguelturra Carnival to obtain said declaration.
The celebration begins early in the morning in the town’s most central streets, and continues until well into the morning in Doctor Fleming Park to the rhythm of carnival.
Given the success of the celebration, it was held again in subsequent years and is now considered one of the most anticipated and important summer events in Miguelturra.
The cries, proclamation of the major masks, children’s carnival, fruit in a frying pan, burial of the sardine, murgas and chirigotas, the Carnival Museum Costume Contest and the Parade of Comparsas and Floats on Piñata Sunday, are the most significant activities that take place. They have been celebrating since its creation in the eighties of the last 20th century to the present day.
For the first time in its history, Miguelturra does not celebrate Carnival
After the 2020 Carnival ended a few days later, on March 14th, Royal Decree 463/2020 was published, declaring a state of emergency in Spain due to the global health situation caused by the COVID-19 virus. Consequently, on September 22nd, 2020, the Association of Peñas and the Miguelturra City Council decided to suspend the 2021 Carnival. The announcement was made public on September 23rd. For the first time in its history, the Miguelturra Carnival will not be celebrated.
Despite the pandemic, the carnival celebrates certain activities
The 2021 Carnival only features several activities that, of course, comply with health protocols: a window display competition and a video contest on the social media platform TikTok. At the same time, the mural and urban art project “Paredes del Carnaval” (Carnival Walls) is being launched, led by artists Gela and Javi Ponsada. Three large murals are on Carnival Street, Pradillo de Clavería and on the façade of the Pradillo Building at the end of Cervantes Street.
With resignation, prudence, and civic spirit, the street masks and peñas stay at home. All events are suspended, and the Spirit of the Churriego Carnival invades windows and balconies, recalling Miguelturra’s most emblematic festival.
The Spirit of Carnival
invades balconies and windows
Mural
Carnival Street
Carnival returns to the streets
Finally, the health situation improved, and consequently, on September 29, 2021, the Clubs Association and the Miguelturra City Council announced the possibility of holding the 2022 Carnival. All of this depends on the health situation. Its celebration will be subject to any regulations and restrictions that may apply at that time.
Carnival 2022 brings us two new and important novelties. On Tuesday morning, March 1st, the book will be presented at the Carnival Palace. ‘Get to know me, Miguelturra Carnival. 40th Anniversary of the Peñas Association‘, by Miguelturra-born author Berna Martínez Romero. In the afternoon, the Monument to the Street Mask, the work of sculptor Fernando ‘Kiriko’, will be inaugurated. It will be located in Spanish Square
, presiding over and overlooking everything that happens on Carnaval Street.
The Carnival monument is completed with the addition of the Alhiguí
A few months later, on June 18th, another inauguration coincided with the summer carnival. The Carnival Monument will include another of the festival’s most representative figures, also sculpted by Kiriko: an Alhiguí (a type of figure) that will accompany La Mascarona (a type of mask), thus completing the tribute to the two great figures of the Churriego Carnival.
On February 15, 2023, a new mural will be unveiled on Carnaval Street. It’s another colossal work by Gela and Ponsada featuring the figures of the three Kings of the Miguelturra Carnival: Gornés, Amalio, and Serafín.
‘Get to know me, Miguelturra Carnival.
40th Anniversary Association of Clubs’
Berna Martínez Romero
Mascarona
Fernando ‘Kiriko’
Alhiguí
Fernando ‘Kiriko’
Carnival Street Mural ‘Three Kings’
of Gela and Ponsada
Sources consulted:
- Cultural Association of Peñas of the Carnival of Miguelturra
- Historical-Cultural Association carnavaldemiguelturra.es
- ‘Get to know me, Miguelturra Carnival. 40th Anniversary of the Peñas Association’. Berna Martínez Romero
- Peñas of Miguelturra
- Honorable City Council of Miguelturra
- ‘Lanza’ Daily by its website lanzadigital.com
- ‘Juventud Torralbeña’. Center of studies from University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM)
- ‘Chronicles of One Hundred Towns, No. 6 Miguelturra’. Author: José Luís Sobrino
- ‘Carnival in La Mancha. Study room of the Popular University of Miguelturra’. Author: Julián Plaza
- State official newsletter (B.O.E.)
- Official Journal of the Ministry of the Army
- Manchego People
