Sardine Burial

One of the most picturesque and deeply-rooted celebrations is the closing ceremony, where carnival-goers bid a fond farewell to Mr Carnal with the burial of the sardine or the "chicharro" fish, which is an emblematic creature for the locals, to the extent that they call themselves "chicharreros".

During this ritual, thousands of people dressed as widows and mourners escorted by the respectable members of the church, as well as ghosts and other spirits, bid the dead body of the festivities farewell. They form a quirky funeral procession in which the etiquette is to be aberrant.

The sight of the widows weeping unconsolably and fainting along the streets of Santa Cruz is bound to be one of the most strangely entertaining and bizarre you have witnessed. And the scene is also in keeping with the underlying essence of the festivity: transgression, satire and irrepressible fun.