Draft:Caretos de Podence

The Caretos de Podence originate from the village of Podence, in the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros. They were declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO on 12 December, 2019.

As part of the winter festivities so characteristic of the region of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, the Caretos de Podence represent diabolical and mysterious images that take to the streets every year during the carnival festivities. Interrupting the long silences of each winter, as if coming out secretly and unpredictably from the nooks and crannies of Podence, the "Caretos" and their frenetic rattles come hissing through the colourful fringes of thick blankets.

The younger boys who follow and imitate the caretos are called facanitos and ensure that the tradition continues.