With a population of approximately 25,000 people, the beautiful Galapagos Islands, like any other place inhabited in the world, have its traditions, we invite you to enjoy this article in which you learn some of the most characteristic customs of the Enchanted Islands, in Ecuador.
Some
authentic festivities of the Galapagos Islands
The provincialization festivities in Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal
They take place on February 18 of each year. It consists on the formation of island cleaning committees, sports championships to encourage physical activity, youth recreation, artistic and gastronomic festivals to involve the community. Parades, fairs and dances are also organized.
The festivities
They honor the virgin of the fields and worship her in the month of August. At the end of these celebrations, the people gather around the cross to comment on anecdotes and past parties.
The Feasts of Santa Agueda
They start off with the lighting of a bonfire in honor of Santa Agueda, the night before the day of celebration. On this day, sweet wine and traditional buns are consumed by all the attendees.
The day of Santa Aguedilla
The day after the feasts of Santa Agueda, on February 6, this day is celebrated with masses, processions and faith stops are held in which food is distributed to the pilgrims.
Ecuavóley festival
It is a variant of volleyball, originally from Ecuador. It is an eminently Ecuadorian sport, thanks to people who, with dedication and work, transmitted their technique and unique skills onto the game, to turn it into a popular sport with traditional roots and one of the mostly played in the Galapagos Islands.
Music
in the Galapagos Islands
The music style of the insular region is influenced by Neo-African music, which is the primitive music of Africa. These rhythms are the result of a mixture of races, as it has European melodies, island character and even elegance. The music of the Enchanted Islands also has Caribbean and North American forms, without a doubt a very exotic musical fusion. The instruments used to give life to musical art in this fantastic place are: the rattle, the maracas, the drum and the acoustic guitar.
As a curious fact, we can tell you that Galapagos also exhibits a folk dance called the Galapagos Dance or Dance of the Enchanted Islands, in which, along with the music, children and young people show rhythms and colorful outfits that captivate the public’s attention. The presentations are held on Friday nights and include Andean and Galapagan dance. Without a doubt, the choreographies reflect the biodiversity of the islands through body movements. The dance steps were created by careful observation of the behavior of the birds that inhabit the archipelago. They show, among other aspects, the magical and natural moment in which the male Albatross (endemic bird of Galapagos) court the females.
Also,
as part of their customs, they wear a typical dress very similar to
the ones used in other regions of Ecuador.
In general, the customs in the Galapagos Islands are very similar to those practiced throughout Ecuador, people are very warm, friendly and Galapagueños are always willing to help and serve their visitors.
