Califé: A man who recites funny poems and jokes about politics and current events.
Los Tiznaos: People who cover themselves with charcoal or black paint and playfully scare others in the streets.
Many of the characters, like the Diablo Cojuelo, come from stories passed down for hundreds of years. The amazing masks used in Carnaval are made with a mix of old Spanish techniques and African creativity. Artists use papier-mâché, feathers, banana leaves, pumpkins and even recycled materials like newspaper to make them bright and unique. Carnaval in La Vega is a time for music, laughter, dancing and celebrating Dominican culture!
The colorful costumes people wear for Carnaval are made from local and recycled materials like newspaper, banana leaves and painted pumpkins. Even the whip, called a vejiga, is made from the dried bladder of a cow or goat! Because so many people visit La Vega during Carnaval, local artists and businesses earn money by making costumes, masks and other crafts. This helps the community and keeps the tradition strong year after year!
