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Have you wondered how fast you can go on a trunk of a banana tree? Well, at the annual Tapati festival on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) one of the competitions is the Haka Pei race, where semi-naked Polynesians slide down a very steep hill on top of two trunks tied together. It takes bravery to do it, for they reach speeds up to 80km/t. The whole festival runs for two weeks and starts in January or February, and the goal is to pick a new queen for the year. Each candidate is back up by their whole clan and the groups then compete against each other in a range of traditional arts and sports, like the Haka Pei. It is an unique opportunity to see ancient Rapa Nui traditions come alive and get spoiled with muscular warriors and seductive beauties performing traditional Rapa Nui dance.
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South America - culture
ChileTapati festival |
ColombiaIndian market |
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Every Tuesday the small village of Silvia hold it's weekly market. Buses loaded with Guambiano Indians and sacks of potatoes in every color and shape arrive early for returning equally loaded in the afternoon. The Indians are dressed in their finest, which just happen to be the same for all. Ankle boots deep blue scarf, bowler hat and wraparound skirt, and that includes the men too. It is a great mix of trading and get together at the plaza for catching up on the latest gossip. It is just one of those lovely places that Colombia has so many of, but again not many visitors come here (luckily).
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EcuadorOtavalo market |
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The huge Saturday market in delightful Otavalo is popular with locals as well gringos. The town square is packed with small stalls offering an massive range of knitted and weaved souvenirs in all colours of the rainbow, some more authentic looking than others. Down the side streets more local goods are sold by the beautiful dressed indigenous people. Both the men and women still wear their traditional clothes, which for women is a white embroidered blouse and a folded scarf on the head, and for the men white trousers and shirt. Both have long hair that is plaited and hanging down their back.
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EcuadorSaquisilí market |
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Every Thursday the town of Saquisilí turn into one giant market. Actually it is several markets that are spread over the town. Indigenous people from remote villages in the surrounding hills come in to sell their goods, whether it is a goat, old shoes or a bag full of guinea pigs... and they are not sold as pets. The people are covered under colorful ponchos and felt hats sporting a fashionable peacock feather. It is a wonderful messy and rowdy affair, that starts early and phase out around midday. While Otavalo market is for tourists, this is the real deal.
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