The origin of the Trapalhão Carnival in this Alentejo village has been lost in time and memory. However, and with the support of the City Council, the traditions are maintained. It is current usage to call the Castelo de Vide carnival a trapalhão, since any rag serves as an ornament to cover the body and face so as not to be recognized and also because there is no organized carnival corso – the revelers take to the streets and parade along at will, some on foot, others on floats. Groups appear with the most varied fantasies; criticisms of society and politics are usually the most used for disguises.

According to tradition, Carnival starts much earlier with Comadres Thursday (2 weeks before Carnival Sunday) and Compadres Sunday (the following week) where boys and girls leave the house at nightfall wearing clumsy masks. making a lot of noise, gesticulating a lot and speaking in a very thin voice so as not to be recognized, they play the most varied pranks. It is “dangerous” to walk on the street.

Gone are the famous Battles of Flowers in which revelers “warred” each other, throwing small bags of sawdust, flour or grain and in which the audience was involved.

Fat Sunday and Tuesday are the big parade days.

At night the animation is constant and starts on Saturday, in all the bars you can see people in disguise, of all ages, dances throughout the village and a lot of joy.

On Ash Wednesday, Shrovetide’s burial takes place.

Source: https://castelodevide.pt/2751/carnaval-trapalhao