El Garabato

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The GARABATO is a dance performed during the CARNAVAL BARRANQUILLA. It symbolizes the victory of life over death. In this dance, Death is represented by a tall, thin person dressed as a skeleton. He carries a long, hook like thing that is called the GARABATO. He grabs the brightly decorated dancers with the hook -- something akin to the Grim Reaper.


In this dance the men have painted faces and wear yellow shirts and black pants. They also wear a highly decorated cape. Women wear boleros in the colors of the flag of Barranquilla (red, yellow, and green).

See some actual footage of the Garabato in Barranquilla.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfK-5WwmRy8&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRABg4Zx99I&feature=related


* Photo by jlmaral
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlmaral/2888711032/

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