An image of three firework blasts over the night sky for New Year's. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

New Year’s Eve in Ecuador

By Jhonatan Guerrero Last updated Dec 1, 2016 849 0

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Ecuador is different than in the United States. Here in the U.S. my family and I celebrate New Year’s in a calmer manner. We still eat the traditional New Year’s Eve food, hang out with our family members and kiss our significant other when the New Year arrives. Ecuadorian people celebrate it a little crazier, but it is the good kind of crazy.

I remember in Ecuador; people would go nuts buying the required material for New Year’s. The traditional material is scarecrow-like dolls, masks, fireworks and beer – lots of beer.

Typically, the scarecrow-like dolls are made of newspaper, and they are usually designed to represent a politician, soccer players or anime characters. They are called “The Viejos,” which means “the old years.” Some of them have a sign that represents a sin they committed.

Turkey, pork, stuffing, salad and grapes are the traditional New Year’s food in Ecuador. If you are 16, you are old enough to drink there. People drink a lot of beer and alcohol – to the point where they sing and dance.

Usually, everybody has a big “Año Viejo” party with their family members. Every year, my family and I would go to my aunt’s house and eat lots and lots of food. She would have games for the family including: karaoke battles and dancing battles. It was a good way to keep everybody entertained and out of trouble.

We would all listen to a radio station called “Radio Tarqui,” where they make a count down to the new year. When midnight hits, we all hug each other and give a testament where we talk about what we want to happen in our lives this new year. Then we eat 12 grapes, each grape representing a prosperous year in your life.

At night is where the real party begins. You see everybody set “the viejos” on fire, some are running around with masks on and lighting up fireworks. Some even run around with suitcases around the block. This is supposed to bring good luck and success on your next travels.

Some people even light up Chinese lanterns and as they fly away they make wishes for the new year.

When my family and I drove back home, I literally saw a scarecrow-like doll being burned on every street and every corner of the neighborhood. I saw a lot of drunk people walking around the streets or passed out. They can do all of this because nobody works on New Year’s day.