It is meant to party and enjoy in excess before Lent begins, in which Catholics give something up.
Not directly, no. The celebration is more cultural and religious than environmentally based. However, it’s rainy season in Bolívar, so getting poured on was an added water sport for the celebration. Last year, many volunteers from other provinces visited, and as "gringos" we were TARGETS, so we were all soaked almost immediately between the rain and water balloons.
