Animal masks and pastoral clothing in Galician carnivals as purification rites prior to Lent

Abstract

Carnival in Galicia is a celebration with its own identity and with different manifestations in many places. The masks represent the anonymity and the way of expression of what cannot be said in life in society, while establishing a new social order in force during those days prior to the time of recollection that Lent supposes. After a journey through the generic sense of Carnival, the meanings of this Galician fiesta have been explored in depth, through animal masks, shepherd's attires and expulsion rites, such as fertility rites, purification and protection of the flocks.