Joel Lydic, a senior at DePaul celebrates in costume at Carnaval in Mérida, Mexico. | RACHEL METEA Glittered-masks, parades, and Corona floats took the streets at this years’ Carnaval in…
Glittered-masks, parades, and Corona floats took the streets at this years’ Carnaval in Mérida, Mexico, where several DePaul University students are studying abroad.
“Carnaval was a little cheesy and way too commercial. Almost every float was a beer commercial” said Senior Joel Lydic, a Spanish and French Major.
“It is like the commercial ball of consumerism in Mexico. Coca cola and Corona have taken over this time honored tradition,” said Senior Bianca Jyanti, a Public Relations and Advertising major.
Mérida’s Carnaval is one of the 12 principal Carnavals in all of Latin America. Celebrated Feb. 10 to Feb. 27, parades and dances covered the city.
“Even if it’s losing substance, it’s still tradition to many people,” said Junior Leah Jeedas, a sociology major.
The fourth night consisted of a parade to honor the traditional folk dance of the Yucatan. People from the community dance in the parade to celebrate their heritage. Within this parade, between every group of dancers was a beer float.
“It was weird to see traditional folk dance outfits and then a girl practically naked dancing on top of a beer float,” said Jeedas. “I’m not sure how traditional that truly is.”
“Carnaval is traditionally a party that is now full of sex,” said Mérida resident Omar Teyer, 26. “This is not good for children who are in the parade.”
Several students took kids from a soccer team they are coaching in Mérida to the parade of traditional folk dance. The children range from ages 6 to 12.
“Most of the kids their age have been exposed to this type of sexuality. They seemed excited, but used to it,” said junior Jeff Lydic, a geography major.
“Sex sells, but in a morbid way,” Teyer said.. Carnaval has always centered around sex and beer for as long as he can remember, said Teyer.
On the third night, DePaul students dressed up in different outfits to celebrate.
“It was an extremely fun experience that I will remember forever,” said Jeedas. “But between the blasting Lady Gaga and the naked girls on beer floats, it definitely is a wakeup call to how commercialized many parts of the world are becoming.
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