Carnival hits the Canary Islands this month.  Unleashing a riot of colour and celebration that engulfs these seven specks of Spain, located just off the coast of Africa, for weeks.  And whilst this annual event may not be as riotous as Rio Carnival still effectively shuts down much of local government and many businesses for the duration on islands such as Lanzarote.  As workers desert their desks and hit the streets.

Carnival first arrived in the Canary Islands with the Spanish conquistadors.  Who in turn inherited the event from the remnants of the Roman Empire.  And served an important social function – allowing people to let off steam before the onset of the 40 days of sacrifice required by Lent.  Carnival also temporarily eroded social barriers – enabling the different classes to mix more freely behind the disguise of costumes and masks.

Whilst Carnival may have been first introduced by the Spanish today it has more of a Latin American than Iberian feel.  Thanks to the fact that the Canary Islands are a real melting pot of cultural influences.  Resulting from the fact that the islands were once an important trading post in the Spanish empire.  Serving as a spot where Spanish galleons carrying Inca silver could offload and refuel before heading back across the Atlantic with a cargo of slaves from Africa.

As a result Carnival in the Canary Islands has a strong anti-authoritarian streak which manifests itself in poking fun and debunking local figures, such as politicians and businessmen.  Via the medium of satirical costumes which are dreamt up for months in advance by hardcore carnival goers.  Indeed costume is so important that there are numerous shops on each island solely dedicated to the creation and sale of carnival outfits.

The other defining characteristic of Carnival is that of excess.  As the streets become submerged beneath seas of drunken revellers.  With the locals leaving all sense of social decorum indoors. 

The main procession is always the central focus of each Carnival event in the Canaries. Typically featuring brightly decorated and cleverly themed floats.  Which act as mobile stages for the massed ranks of batacuda drum bands.  That wend a loud and syncopated path through the throngs of revellers. Many of these drum bands practice all year round – and once all dressed identically in their carnival costumes create a real spectacle.

Such is the importance of Carnival that many tourists plan their holidays around it.  Booking hotels and villas in Lanzarote months in advance. This year Carnival kicks off in Lanzarote from February 18th in the island capital of Arecife.  Before moving across the main resort of Puerto Del Crarmen.  Where the action starts all over again from February 26th onwards.