The Night Ecuador Burns.

Have you ever seen images or videos of rag dolls being burned on New Year's Eve and thought, "Why are they doing that?"

Among the many videos and images shared on social media during New Year's, a small portion stands out, showing a kind of dolls being burned in the streets, and many people wonder, "Why do they do that?" or "What does this act symbolize?"

Where does this tradition come from?

This tradition comes from Guayaquil, Ecuador, and originated in the 19th century between the years 1842 and 1895 during the height of the yellow fever epidemic.

At that time, authorities across the country ordered citizens to burn the clothing, mattresses, and belongings of those who had died from the disease on the last day of the year.

Citizens would tie and package these belongings into human-shaped sacks to incinerate them at midnight, symbolizing the extermination of the plague, the illness, and sadness to start a clean and better year than the previous one.

Best places to experience the burning of monigotes

In Ecuador, there are many places to experience the burning of these monigotes, and you don't have to go far to have a great experience.

Baños de Agua Santa

The main central streets are completely filled with tourists and locals who leave their homes to see the monigotes and the traditional widows, thus experiencing this wonderful celebration.

Surrounded by waterfalls and mountains, many tourists take the opportunity to start their year relaxing while combining the joy of New Year's with the marvelous views that Baños offers.

Guayaquil

Throughout December, this great city transforms its neighborhoods into complete open-air art galleries with giant monigotes adorning the streets, patiently waiting for the hour to be burned.

You will find different figures, from highly detailed ones measuring several meters to simpler figures from popular culture made by local artisans.

Quito

The historic center of Quito and Calle 6 de marzo are the heart of monigote sales in Quito, and walking through it in the days leading up to the 31st allows you to see thousands of these monigotes made of sawdust and paper, in addition to the famous cardboard masks.

Throughout the city, families and neighbors prepare for the long-awaited day, setting up a bonfire in the middle of the street, bringing speakers to play traditional music, and starting to read their testimonies in public.

A moment to remember

We must also remember that not everything is about parties and celebrations. Watching the monigotes consumed by fire symbolizes not only the burning of the paper or sawdust but also the symbolic burning of the bad moments that hurt during the year.

But the most beautiful aspect of this celebration is the unity and humor of an entire community transforming all the sorrows and pains experienced throughout the year into monigotes.

Born to purify the city after the epidemics, the burning of the monigote eliminates the bad moments of the year that is ending and paves the way for the hope of the new one.

by Explorsierra Tourism Agency Ecuador