All of the people who participate in the parades dance to traditional music called "Marcha," which has a fast tempo and strong rhythm. This tradition of Carnival also blends with the indigenous holiday called Pakwar Raymi, which celebrates the spring equinox.
This tradition is important to each Ecuadorian community and the entire country because it brings people together. Ecuadorians love spending time with their families and friends, and Carnival creates the perfect environment to do just that. Historically, this holiday was meant to represent the purge or removal of anything unnecessary before the start of Lent. People celebrate by going a little crazy, and after Carnival ends they are expected to follow the strict rules of Catholic Lent for forty days. Only those who are Catholic view it from this perspective, however. From what I saw and experienced, it seems that Carnival is a holiday that strengthens community bonds. It is a time to have fun and indulge, be with the people you love, and enjoy the chaos that is Carnival.
In a sense, this tradition is connected to its environment and social history because of its religious origin. When the Spaniards arrived in South America they forcefully converted a huge portion of the indigenous population to Catholicism. Without this religious conversion, the holiday of Carnival would not be a part of the Ecuadorian environment or culture. Carnival is not a typical religious holiday, even though is has religious roots. It could be considered a fun-filled party that all community members participate in.
