A small rock in the Atlantic

Saturday, 13 March 2010

The Octopus's Funeral, Los Cancajos

The octopus's funeral procession, Los Cancajos, Breña Baja, La Palma

The octopus's funeral procession

Most places in Spain end Carnival with a mock funeral for a sardine. Los Cancajos decided to have a few carnival events this year, ending in an Octopus's funeral (just for a change).

Close up of the octopus, Los Cancajos, Breña Baja, La Palma

Close up of the octopus

But the weather was terrible, and they postponed it for two weeks. And when the new date came around, there weather was terrible again, and they had to postpone it again!

The percussion band for the Octopus's Funeral, Los Cancajos, Breña Baja, La Palma

The percussion band

Third time lucky - the funeral went ahead last night. A percussion band (a batucada) provided the music.

The Master of Ceremonies for the octopus's funeral, Los Cancajos, Breña Baja, La Palma

The Master of Ceremonies

The master of ceremonies, looked rather fine as he led the way, keeping the octopus and band together.

The octopus's cremation, Los Cancajos, Breña Baja, La Palma

The procession went through the village and down to the beach, where they cremated it and let off the fireworks.

Fireworks at the octopus's funeral, Los Cancajos, Breña Baja, La Palma

We left, just as the band was starting up for the public dance. It was great fun, and I'm sure they'll do it again next year.