Guayos Parrandas Celebrate One Hundred Years as a Cuban Cultural Symbol

The province of Sancti Spíritus is currently carrying out a series of actions to pay tribute to the centenary of the Guayos Parrandas, a tradition that in 2018 was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. This celebration is part of a campaign that has extended throughout the year with the purpose of highlighting the history and legacy of this popular expression.

Yeidel Hernández, a cultural promoter and researcher, confirmed that the Regional-National Parrandas Event will take place on October 24 and 25, a gathering that will bring together exponents of this tradition in an atmosphere of festivity. Hernández also indicated that a large celebration is expected in the coming dates as part of the commemorative program.

The Colloquium of Guayos Culture, held on October 17, was among the activities that have marked the tribute. This space allowed for reflection on the cultural impact of the Parrandas on the community and its evolution over time.

The history of the Guayos Parrandas began in 1925, when workers and merchants from the municipality of Camajuaní, in Villa Clara, brought this tradition to the locality in Sancti Spíritus. Since then, the town has been organized into two neighborhoods: La Loma, represented by the goat and the color red; and Cantarrana, identified with the frog and the color green.

Each year, during the day of the Parranda, the two neighborhoods engage in a friendly rivalry expressed through monumental floats, fireworks, congas, and other initiatives that mobilize the entire community. There is no official jury. The public and visitors evaluate the performance of each neighborhood and determine which one achieved the best result.

The Guayos Parrandas are part of a broader cultural phenomenon encompassing the central region of Cuba. In 2013, these celebrations received the distinction of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Cuban Nation. Five years later, UNESCO included them in its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Cuban Institute for Cultural Research "Juan Marinello" awarded the Guayos Parrandas the Memoria Viva (Living Memory) Prize, in recognition of their value as an authentic expression of local identity.

The Parrandas in central Cuba have their roots in the town of San Juan de los Remedios, located in the current province of Villa Clara. This tradition emerged over two centuries ago and, over time, spread to other towns in Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, and Ciego de Ávila, consolidating a legacy that remains vibrant in the popular imagination.