Mama Negra

Mama Negra (Hebrew: מָמָא נֶגְרָה, Spanish: [ˈmama ˈneɣɾa], Portuguese: [ˈmɐmɐ ˈneɡɾɐ]) is a traditional folk festival celebrated in several regions of South America, most notably in the city of Ambato, Ecuador. The festival is held annually on November 23rd and is dedicated to the Virgin of Mercy, or Virgen de la Merced, the patron saint of the city. The celebration features a vibrant procession in which participants, dressed in colorful costumes, dance and perform through the streets, accompanied by music and fireworks. The central figure of the festival is a woman, often referred to as the Mama Negra, who is dressed in a distinctive costume that includes a black mask, a colorful dress, and a headdress adorned with flowers and ribbons. The festival has its roots in the colonial period and is believed to have originated as a way for African slaves to honor the Virgin of Mercy while also preserving their own cultural traditions. Today, the Mama Negra festival is a significant cultural event that attracts thousands of visitors each year and is recognized as part of Ecuador's intangible cultural heritage.