Guinea Bissau Carnival

Taking place at the start of Lent, carnival is the most popular festival in Guinea Bissau. The
carnival of Bissau brings together the various ethnic groups of Guinea-Bissau into one cultural
celebration. There is no extravagant motorized floats parading down streets. Nor is there
outlandish rhinestone bikini costumes. This carnival acts as a celebration and declaration of culture and tradition. Dance troupes perform along the parade’s procession. The ethnic groups represented in the parade often perform a dance unique to their tribe or home. Others wear giant masks three times the size a human head – in the form of rabbits, lions, mice, roosters. Traditional instruments of bamboo
are played, homemade treats are available alongside the parade route. Be on the lookout for the Kankouran, a traditional Mandinka creature – one who chases evil spirits after male coming of age ceremonies. He’ll be hard to miss, Kankouran is the figure in red and looks like what can only be described as an upright shaggy dog.