Mil Tambores - The Chilean Woodstock

 Mil Tambores is an annual festival in Valparaiso.  It happens on the first weekend in October as a way to celebrate the arrival of Spring.  As you can see, EVERYONE attends! 

 To start the weekend off, I went out Saturday afternoon with my host sister Fernanda and her friends.  With champagne and red solo cups in hand we headed up the hills to participate in the parades (drinking on the streets is usually illegal, but there is an exception for mil tambores).  There were so many people! Some were marching with drums, others were throwing confetti, but most were drinking, dancing and having a great time!  It was truly a site to see.   We walked for about 3 hours, then broke off from the main group.  We found a little tent where people were playing live music.  We stayed for a bit and then headed out to eat some dinner, and rest up for the parade the next day.

Sunday was a little more cultural.  Everyone in the parade was dancing traditional dances, or singing traditional songs, and many were dressed in traditional costumes.   

 "Cuerpos pintados" (painted bodies) were also very common.  For me, this was the coolest part of the festival.  A lot of the body paint represented the Mapuche tribe (the native people of Chile).

Again, we walked the hills, following the marching bands.  About 4 hours later, we ended up in a huge field where everyone was starting to gather.  As the sun was setting, the music was growing louder and the real party was beginning.  People were forming large circles around different types of performers.  There were dancers, singers, torch jugglers...you name it.  It was really fun!  We stayed for a long time, and then caught a bus back home.

In all, I would say this weekend is somewhat of a Chilean Woodstock...a little weird, but a blast to be a part of.