“Máscaro”, not “careto”. Unlike other traditions in the region, at Vila Boa the ghoulish figures are called “máscaros”. Masked and dressed in red, would go as far as dressing in the woods to keep their anonymity (not so much nowadays), jumping the streets and waving their canes throughout the day, until the big pyre is lit at sunset, with the entire village gathered around it.Vila Boa, Trás-Os-Montes, Portugal 🇵🇹, February 2022#portugal #trasosmontes #entrudo #shrovetide #carnaval #carnival #mascaro

“Máscaro”, not “careto”. Unlike other traditions in the region, at Vila Boa the ghoulish figures are called “máscaros”. Masked and dressed in red, would go as far as dressing in the woods to keep their anonymity (not so much nowadays), jumping the streets and waving their canes throughout the day, until the big pyre is lit at sunset, with the entire village gathered around it.Vila Boa, Trás-Os-Montes, Portugal 🇵🇹, February 2022#portugal #trasosmontes #entrudo #shrovetide #carnaval #carnival #mascaro

Vila Boa, Trás-Os-Montes, Portugal 🇵🇹, February 2022#portugal #trasosmontes #entrudo #shrovetide #carnaval #carnival #mascaro

It’s no secret that I love how fire is a important part of some winter festivities, specially here at Vila Boa (I even wrote a post in my blog about it). And this year, just like all the previous, the chaotic procession of masked people and everybody else who joined the party ends at a big pile of wood, ready to be lit.Vila Boa, Trás-Os-Montes, Portugal 🇵🇹, February 2022#portugal #trasosmontes #entrudo #shrovetide #carnaval #carnival #mascaro

“Careto” hitting the water on a pond with his cane, an ancient gesture meant to scare the demons hidden there.Grijó de Parada, Trás-Os-Montes, Portugal 🇵🇹, December 2016#portugal #trasosmontes #wintersolstice #festasdesantoestevao #festadosrapazes #careto 

“Caretos” doing tricks and mischief to each other. Grijó de Parada, Trás-Os-Montes, Portugal 🇵🇹, December 2019 #portugal #trasosmontes #wintersolstice #festasdesantoestevao #festadosrapazes #careto

Young “careto” with the apple that holds the coins that were given as an offering.Grijó de Parada, Trás-Os-Montes, Portugal 🇵🇹, December 2016 #portugal #trasosmontes #wintersolstice #festasdesantoestevao #festadosrapazes #careto

Beach day. Porto Covo, Portugal 🇵🇹, September 2021 #summer #alentejo #portugal

We’re open for business again!  Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹, July 2021 #summer #lisbon #portugal

High noon.    Barrancos, Portugal 🇵🇹, June 2021 #summer #alentejo #portugal