Parrandas de Chambas, Cuba

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What are the Parrandas de Chambas?

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The Parrandas de Chambas are celebrations that take place in the province of Chambas, Ciego de Avila. These parrandas is one of the oldest in Cuba and is one of the most awaited celebrations in the central region of the country. Such is the importance of these festivities that in 2001 they obtained the “Memoria Viva” award due to the cultural and festive contribution to the island of Cuba..

These parrandas revolve around the friendly dispute of two neighborhoods, identifying each other as El Gallo with the red color and El Gavilán with the blue color. Each of the sides has aflag at the entrance and they start performing a large number of presentations. The festivities are characterized by dividing the town of two sides, which faces each other through the different traditional and cultural manifestations such as comparsas, floats, music or fireworks..

 

 

The most anticipated moment of the festivities is theentrance of the floats and the fireworks. These floats are the main attraction of the festivities, since they are the result of months of work and are the insignia of the traditions of each of the neighborhoods. Likewise, the festivities cannot be complete without the conga and the changüis, distinctive sounds of the island of Cuba.

 

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When are the Parrandas de Chambas?

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The parrandas in Chambas used to be celebrated during the month of February. However, they began to be celebrated in August with the participation of students during their vacations.

 

 

History of the Parrandas de Chambas

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The parrandas of Chambas constitute one of the oldest and most representative traditions of the Cubans in the locality. In the locality of Chambas the festivities arose as a response to other celebrations that occurred in the adjacent localities of the neighborhood, so it was also decided to incorporate the festivities in its streets. The chamberos attended the parrandas de Remedios, a nearby town, and decided to include the festivities in their own neighborhood.

These festivities date back to the 1930s, more specifically in 1935. During its beginnings, the parrandas were held on February 24, the date on which thelast stage of battle against the Spanish colonizers took place at the end of the 19th century.

 

Where are the Parrandas de Chambas

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The parrandas of Chambas are held in the municipality of Chambas, province of Ciego de Avila, in the central part of the island of Cuba.

 

 

How are the Parrandas de Chambas celebrated?

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Some months before the celebration, thework on the floats begins, which are carried out by the lugareños themselves with a deep secrecy, since rivalry is a serious matter in the parrandas..

During the morning of the day of the parrandas, the bandos get ready and divide into the two teams, placing their respective flags with the animals representing each of the barrios. The demonstrations begin to become visible early in the morning and as the sun goes down, the celebrations gain strength. The music is played and the people take to the streets to celebrate the parrandas with fireworks and dances..

Once the night arrives, the floats take out their floats and the celebrations take a point of no return. The music is present until dawn, when the festivities end.

 

Tips to go to the Parrandas de Chambas

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If you wish to attend the Parrandas de Chambas, we recommend you plan your trip in advance, make a travel itinerary and book your accommodation at the establishment of your choice.

Also, avoid talking politics if you engage in conversation with a local.

If you want to know more about tourism in this country, I recommend this guide:

 

 

Events in the Parrandas de Chambas

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During the festivities, the municipality is divided into 2, the sector of La Norte and the barrio of La Narcisa. Each of these places a flag with a distinctive color and animal. The Norte uses ared flag with a rooster and Narcisa carries a blue flag with a sparrow hawk.

Once the battle has begun, each neighborhood brings out their best attributes, making presentations with parades, floats, music and the distinctivefireworks.

 

 

The climax of the celebration takes place when each sector is at the center of the municipality and show their impressive floats accompanied by fireworks, conga and changüí.

 

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Parades of in Parrandas de Chambas

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Once the day of celebrations begins, the neighborhoods are divided between reds and blues, roosters and gavilanes, to start the main celebration. People congregate in the streets, which will be the stage to carry out the different cultural manifestations, through comparsas, floats, fireworks and music..

 

Parade route

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The demonstrations take place in the streets of the municipality, divided between the roosters and the gavilanes.

 

 

What to eat at the Parrandas de Chambas

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One of the typical local foods is Chilindrón de chivo, a tomato stew with seasonings and goat cardoon. You can also eat a dish called moros y cristianos, a dish made with black beans.

Some of the places where you can go to eat near Chambas are: Ranchon Cuba Libre, Ranchon Playa Flamenco and Restaurant Maite La Qbana.

 

 

Travel Insurance

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From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend to hire a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurances. Read more information about all insurance offers here:

 

 

What to see and do inside Parrandas de Chambas

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Inside the carnivals you can see the different cultural manifestations that take place between both neighborhood groups. In addition, you can admire their floats and celebrate with traditional music until dawn.

If you don’t want to complicate things, here you can book interesting excursions in Spanish in this city:.

 

What to see and do outside of the Parrandas de Chambas

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Some of the tourist attractions near the Chambas municipality are:

 

Caguanes National Park

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It is a part considered a protected area. The complex includes about 10 smaller keys, some swamps are also included. Within the park there are 112 species of birds.

 

Laguna La Redonda

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It is a lake with a large trout population. Within its waters you can find different species of animals such as manatees, crocodiles or snakes.

 

Playa Pilar Beach

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It is one of the best beaches in Cuba. Its waters are crystal clear and it comprises fine white sands.

Also if you want to visit museums and important buildings in this city we recommend that you book your entrance ticket in advance through Tiquets: .

 

Safety in the Parrandas of Chambas

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The municipality of Chambas and the island of Cuba are relatively safe places. You just need to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity that may occur.

As always, use the same preventive measures you would take in your hometown. Also, we recommend the following products to keep your belongings safe:

 

 

Climate in the Parrandas of Chambas

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During the parrandas, the weather is somewhat hot, with an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. Be sure to bring water and sunscreen.

 

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How to get to the Parrandas de Chambas

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How to get there by plane

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The closest airport to the municipality of Chambas is the Abel Santamaría International Airport, which receives multiple international flights. Once you are here, you can use the different means of transportation to get to Chambas.

We recommend buying airline tickets through Kiwi.com or Skyscanner where they are usually cheaper. More information on this link to review Kiwi.com..

 

How to get there by train

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From the airport you can go to Santa Clara. Once there, go to the station and take train 9 that will take you to Ciego de Ávila. From here you can take a cab or take a private vehicle to Chambas.

From Havana, go to La Coubre Station take a train to Ciego de Avila using train 13. Once there, take a cab or private vehicle to Chambas.

 

How to get there by bus

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From the airport you can take a cab to Santa Clara. Once there, take a bus to Ciego de Ávila. There you can take a cab or private vehicle to Chambas.

From Havana you can take a bus to Ciego de Avila. Once there, take a cab or private vehicle to Chambas. The trip takes 7 hours.

 

How to get there by car

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From the airport you can take a vehicle using the Circuito Norte to Chambas. The drive is 2 hours.

From Havana you can take the Autopista Nacional to Chambas. The drive is 5 hours.

 

Where to stay in the Parrandas de Chambas

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Accommodation in the town is scarce, so we recommend some hotels in nearby areas.

 

Booking.com

 

San Jose del Lago

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2-star hotel 16 from Chambas. Rooms are equipped with air conditioning and private bathrooms. In addition, the facilities offer swimming pool, restaurant, bar and shared lounge.

 

Ciego de Ávila

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2-star hotel 7 km from Ciego de Avila. The rooms are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms. The hotel has a swimming pool, restaurant and bar.

 

Morón

2-star hotel 31 km from Ciego de Avila. The rooms are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms. The hotel also offers a swimming pool, bar and continental breakfast.

We recommend using Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:.

 

Thank you for reading

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