Guinea-Bissau: Carnival has come to an end.
This Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Guinea-Bissau ended its main popular event, Carnival, under the motto “Carnival of National Cohesion and Regional Integration”. Since last Friday, 20 groups have paraded along Avenida João Bernardo Vieira, to the sound of loud music, whistles and dancing.
Due to the country's financial difficulties, the traditional contest of groups did not take place this year and, instead, the “carnivalists” were asked to do free demonstrations of costumes, masks and folkloric dances of the different Guinean ethnic groups.
This year, groups of emigrant communities from Guinea-Conakry, Nigeria and Senegal also joined the Guinean Carnival, in an attempt to reinforce national cohesion and regional integration.
The president of the organizing committee, Leonardo Cardoso, stated that Carnival is the main mark of cohesion among Guineans.
The government also invited Senegal's Minister of Culture and Historical Heritage, Aliu Só, to lead an important delegation at the event.
Meanwhile, the public order police deployed around 3.500 agents on the streets of Bissau to ensure security during the event.
The mayor of Bissau, José Medina Lobato, emphasized the spirit of tranquility that has marked Carnival this year and the presence of many foreign tourists.
“It is one of the biggest popular festivals we have in the country, already traditional, where we demonstrate our culture, our tradition and our cultural diversity, normally”.
“This year, fortunately, it started on Friday and it's going very well, without problems, without indiscipline, without aggression”.
“We want a Carnival with harmony, a Carnival of solidarity”.
Guinea-Bissau's goal is to make Carnival an international event and a way to demonstrate the culture, tradition and diversity of the country's culture.
What do you think of Carnival in Guinea-Bissau? There are those who say that this is the biggest African Carnival. Do you agree with that? We want to know your opinion, do not hesitate to comment and if you liked the article, share and give a “like/like”.
Picture: © 2023 M. Bonutto
