Editing Carnival (section)

====Belize====
{{Main|Carnival in Belize}}

[[San Pedro Town|San Pedro]] is one of [[Belize]]'s few cities to observe Carnaval before Lent. Elsewhere, Carnaval (sometimes referred to as Carnival) often occurs in September. The Fiesta de Carnaval is often the most popular celebration, usually held over three days prior to Ash Wednesday, but the festivities often extend to the full week.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://belizeanminds.blogspot.ca/2013/09/history-of-carnivals-in-belize-review.html| title=Belizean Minds| work=belizeanminds.blogspot.ca| access-date=26 February 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305165623/http://belizeanminds.blogspot.ca/2013/09/history-of-carnivals-in-belize-review.html| archive-date=5 March 2014| url-status=dead}}</ref> This festival "always includes music, dancing, costumes and parades".<ref>Samuel Brown, J.; Vorhees, M. (2013). ''Belize''. [[Lonely Planet]] Publishing.</ref>

[[Comparsa]]s are held throughout the week, consisting of large groups "of dancers dancing and traveling on the streets, followed by a Carrosa (carriage) where the musicians play. The Comparsa is a development of African processions where groups of devotees follow a given saint or deity during a particular religious celebration." One of the most popular comparsas of Fiesta de Carnaval is the male group comparsa, usually composed of notable men from the community who dress up in outlandish costumes or cross-dress and dance to compete for money and prizes.<ref name="goambergriscaye.com">{{cite web| url=http://www.goambergriscaye.com/fest.html| title=Ambergris Caye, Belize, Festivals| work=goambergriscaye.com| access-date=26 February 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922232850/http://goambergriscaye.com/fest.html| archive-date=22 September 2013| url-status=live}}</ref> Other popular activities include body painting and flour fighting.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/belize/the-northern-cayes/ambergris-caye-and-san-pedro/events/local-festivals-culture/fiesta-de-carnaval| title=Fiesta de Carnaval| work=Lonely Planet| access-date=26 February 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303041040/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/belize/the-northern-cayes/ambergris-caye-and-san-pedro/events/local-festivals-culture/fiesta-de-carnaval| archive-date=3 March 2014| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="joseluiszapata.com">{{cite web| url=http://www.joseluiszapata.com/2012/02/carnaval-de-san-pedro-belize/ |title=Carnaval de San Pedro, Belize |work=joseluiszapata.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402145420/http://www.joseluiszapata.com/2012/02/carnaval-de-san-pedro-belize/ |archive-date=2 April 2015 }}</ref> "On the last day of Carnival painters flood the street to paint each other. This simply means that a mixture of water paint and water or raw eggs is used to paint people on the streets, the goal being to paint as many people as you can."<ref name="goambergriscaye.com"/>

Street fights often occur during the festivities – some locals treat this festival as an opportunity to exact revenge on their enemies. [[Vandalism]] is common and "businesses constantly have to prepare in covering or repainting their advertisements during Carnival season because of the mischief performed."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ambergristoday.com/content/teen-talk/2012/february/29/carnival-messy-situation?page=1| title=Teen Talk – Is Carnival A Messy Situation?| work=ambergristoday.com| access-date=26 February 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403140700/http://www.ambergristoday.com/content/teen-talk/2012/february/29/carnival-messy-situation?page=1| archive-date=3 April 2015| url-status=dead}}</ref> The tradition continues despite critics who advocate the termination of these festivities.<ref name="joseluiszapata.com"/>