As festivals go, this is definitely one of the stranger ones. The villages of Ituren and Zubieta in northern Spain have just had their annual pagan carnival, and it was certainly eyecatching.
It is considered to be one of the most ancient carnivals in Europe, dating from before the Roman Empire, and its traditions are pretty far removed from modern life.
Ituren eta Zubietako joaldunak… agur negua, Inauteriak datoz!! pic.twitter.com/FBd3xMGcNE
— Iñaki Goikoetxea (@inakigoiko) January 31, 2017
Groups of people called Joaldunak from both of the villages parade through the streets in full ancient regalia. We’re talking lace petticoats, sheepskins, coloured neckerchiefs, conical caps – the works.
The Joaldunak are bellringers who perform a ritual dance to ward off evil spirits at the beginning of spring.
Bellringers, known as "Joaldunak" in Basque language march during the ancient carnival of Ituren, in the northern Spanish Navarra province. pic.twitter.com/q8shZsdyzN
— GoldenCouple (@TRH_WandC) January 31, 2017
The carnival takes place in the mountains of the Pyrenees, which makes for a pretty stunning backdrop.
It’s not all hard work though: luckily this group of Joaldunaks called Zanpantzar got to have a bit of a rest and a drink to keep their strength up.
Probably a good thing too – we can’t imagine carrying that bell around is light work.
