Carnival in Uruguay

The carnival, in Montevideo

The carnival of Montevideo is the longest of the world, stretching over some forty days, carried by the candombe, this Afro-Uruguayan rhythm born from the memory of slavery. The Montevideo audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this unique popular festival, its parades of drums, the llamadas, and the role of districts like the Isla de Flores street in this vibrant tradition.

The longest carnival of the world

You may not know it, but it is in Montevideo that the longest carnival of the world takes place. Where most carnivals last a few days, that of Uruguay stretches over some forty days, from the end of January to the beginning of March, and invades the whole town with music, colours and dances. Its beating heart is the candombe, a deep and bewitching Afro-Uruguayan rhythm, played on three types of drums called chico, repique and piano. It is necessary here to remember, with gravity, its origins: the candombe was born from the memory of slavery, transmitted by the deported Africans and their descendants, who thus kept a part of their heritage and made it a powerful symbol of identity and freedom. Today inscribed in the intangible heritage of humanity by Unesco, it resounds all year in the streets of certain districts. The great moment of the carnival is the parade of the llamadas, the call of the drums, where hundreds of percussionists parade in rhythm, accompanied by dancers in dazzling costumes, notably in historically Afro-Uruguayan districts like that of the Isla de Flores street. To this are added the murgas, troupes of satirical singers who comment on current events with humour, and the tablados, neighbourhood stages where the artists perform. A popular, joyful and deeply rooted festival, the carnival is a true national institution. A living tradition and a shared memory, the carnival is a fine stop of the discovery of Montevideo.

What to see

Here you discover the longest carnival of the world, that stretches over some forty days and invades Montevideo with music and dances; its heart is the candombe, an Afro-Uruguayan rhythm born from the memory of slavery and inscribed in the heritage of humanity, whose great moment is the parade of the llamadas, the call of the drums, in districts like the Isla de Flores street, with its satirical murgas and its tablados. The carnival is an institution of Montevideo. It is a fine stop, to be experienced in the town.

Practical information

The carnival of Montevideo takes place each year over some forty days, generally from the end of January to the beginning of March, throughout the town; the parade of the llamadas animates notably districts like the Isla de Flores street. The dates and the programme vary according to the years; it is best to enquire. It is the occasion to discover the candombe and the living culture of Uruguay.

Why is the carnival of Montevideo famous?

Because it is the longest of the world, stretched over some forty days, and because it is carried by the candombe, an Afro-Uruguayan rhythm born from the memory of slavery and inscribed in the intangible heritage of humanity by Unesco; its great moment is the parade of the llamadas, the call of the drums, accompanied by the satirical murgas and the neighbourhood tablados.

What is the candombe?

A deep Afro-Uruguayan rhythm, played on three types of drums, the chico, the repique and the piano, born from the memory of slavery and transmitted by the deported Africans and their descendants; heart of the carnival of Montevideo, it is today inscribed in the intangible heritage of humanity by Unesco and resounds all year in certain districts of the town.