Move Back
![Cuba_Mock_Burial__2_]()
In this Feb. 5, 2014 photo, Divaldo Aguiar, who plays the part of Pachencho, lies inside a mock coffin as villagers splash rum into Aguiar's mouth during the Burial of Pachencho celebration at a cemetery in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. The bash kicked off Wednesday with the slow procession to the local cemetery. Pallbearers carried the coffin of "Pachencho," who's known the other 364 days of the year as Divaldo Aguiar, to an open grave and used ropes to lower it six feet under. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)![Cuba_Mock_Burial__1_]()
In this Feb. 5, 2014 photo, Carlos Pineiro plays two trumpets during the celebration of a mock funeral known as the Burial of Pachencho in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. The tradition was born on Feb. 5, 1984, when villagers got the idea of putting on a mock burial to mark the end of local carnival season. It took its name from the title of a play that had showed in what was then the town theater. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)![Cuba_Mock_Burial__8_]()
In this Feb. 5, 2014 photo, a girl cries for her mother from the back of a tractor pulling a mock coffin during the Burial of Pachencho celebration in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. Cuban villagers stage a mock funeral and burial of a living man, a boozy festival that has become an annual tradition in a small town near Havana. The celebration has been held each Feb. 5 for the last 30 years. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)![Cuba_Mock_Burial]()
In this Feb. 5, 2014 photo, Divaldo Aguiar, who plays the part of Pachencho, is carried in a mock coffin during the Burial of Pachencho celebration, through a cemetery in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. Cuban villagers stage a mock funeral and burial of Pachencho, with a living man playing the part of Pachencho, in a boozy festival that has become an annual tradition in this small town near Havana, held each Feb. 5 for the last 30 years. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)![Cuba_Mock_Burial__5_]()
In this Feb. 5, 2014 photo, Divaldo Aguiar, who plays the part of Pachencho, in a mock funeral known as the Burial of Pachencho, lies inside a coffin as Carmen Zamora, who plays the part of his widow, puts her hand on his head, at a cemetery in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. "Being reborn is the most beautiful thing there is in life," said Aguiar, who said he has played "Pachencho for several years running. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)![Cuba_Mock_Burial__10_]()
In this Feb. 5, 2014 photo, people play drums during the Burial of Pachencho celebration in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. The tradition was born on Feb. 5, 1984, when villagers got the idea of putting on a mock burial to mark the end of local carnival season. It took its name from the title of a play that had showed in what was then the town theater. "Pachencho" is not representative of any real person, living or dead, explained Alvaro Hernandez, head of a learning and recreation center that today is housed in the former theater, "He's a product of popular imagination." (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)![Cuba_Mock_Burial__4_]()
In this Feb. 5, 2014 photo, the hand of Divaldo Aguiar, who plays the part of Pachencho, in the mock funeral known as the Burial of Pachencho, reaches for a bottle of rum from inside his coffin, at a cemetery in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. The bash kicked off Wednesday with the slow procession to the local cemetery. Pallbearers carried the coffin of "Pachencho," who's known the other 364 days of the year as Divaldo Aguiar, to an open grave and used ropes to lower it six feet under. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)![Cuba_Mock_Burial__11_]()
In this Feb. 5, 2014 photo, Divaldo Aguiar, who plays the part of Pachencho, is lowered inside a grave site as he lies inside a mock coffin as part of the Burial of Pachencho celebration at a cemetery in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. A man masquerading as a priest makes the sign of the cross over the grave and mutteres, "rest in peace." People blow trumpets, bang drums and toss flowers. Then villagers splash rum into Aguiar's mouth from above, and he opens his eyes and climbs out of the tomb."Being reborn is the most beautiful thing there is in life," said Aguiar, who said he has played "Pachencho for several years running. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)![Cuba_Mock_Burial__3_]()
In this Feb. 5, 2014 photo, Carmen Zamora, who plays the part of Pachecho's widow, in the mock funeral known as the Burial of Pachencho, sits under a framed picture of Cuba's President Raul Castro as she waits for the start of the annual celebration in Santiago de Las Vegas, Havana, Cuba. The tradition was born on Feb. 5, 1984, when villagers got the idea of putting on a mock burial to mark the end of local carnival season. It took its name from the title of a play that had showed in what was then the town theater. "Pachencho" is not representative of any real person, living or dead, explained Alvaro Hernandez, head of a learning and recreation center that today is housed in the former theater. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)![Cuba_Mock_Burial__7_]()
In this Feb. 5, 2014 photo, people carry a mock coffin inside a bus as they head to the local cemetery to celebrate the Burial of Pachencho in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. The celebration, about 12 miles south of the Cuban capital, has been held each Feb. 5 for the last 30 years, with an atmosphere that is more street-party than funeral. "Pachencho" is not representative of any real person, living or dead, explained Alvaro Hernandez, head of a learning and recreation center, "He's a product of popular imagination." (AP Photo/Enric Marti)![Cuba_Mock_Burial__12_]()
In this Feb. 5, 2014 photo, Divaldo Aguiar, who plays the part of Pachencho, lies inside a mock coffin during Burial of Pachencho celebration at a cemetery in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. Cuban villagers stage a mock funeral and burial of Pachencho, with a living man playing the part of Pachencho, in a boozy festival that has become an annual tradition in this small town near Havana, held each Feb. 5 for the last 30 years. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)![Cuba_Mock_Burial__6_]()
In this Feb. 5, 2014 photo, Divaldo Aguiar, who plays the part of Pachencho, left, lies inside a coffin as Carmen Zamora, who plays his widow, center, stands near the coffin, during the town's annual tradition, known as the Burial of Pachencho, at a cemetery in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. A tractor pulls a trailer slowly through the streets to the cemetery in the early morning carrying Aguiar in a coffin, along with a four-piece tropical band and the white-haired woman pretending to be the bereaved widow weeping loudly for the "deceased." (AP Photo/Enric Marti)Cuban Village's 'Burial of Pachencho' Marks End Of Carnival Season
The tradition was born on Feb. 5, 1984, when villagers got the idea of putting on a mock burial to mark the end of local carnival season. It took its name from the title of a play that had been shown in what was then the town theater.
Move Forward
- Cuban Village's 'Burial of Pachencho' Marks End Of Carnival Season
