Editing Carnival (section)

====Dominican Republic====
{{Main|Carnival in the Dominican Republic}}
[[File:Cojuelo03.JPG|thumb|upright|Traditional cojuelo mask of the Dominican carnival in [[La Vega, Dominican Republic|La Vega]], [[Dominican Republic]]]]
[[Dominican Republic|Dominican]] Carnival is celebrated in most cities and towns in the main streets during February. Among its main characteristics are its flashy costumes and loud music. The one held in [[La Vega, Dominican Republic|La Vega]], which is one of the biggest in the country, and the national parade in [[Santo Domingo]] were where the first Carnival of the Americas was held.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Girma |first=Lebawit Lily |date=2018-02-20 |title=Why You Should Experience Carnival in the Dominican Republic |url=https://medium.com/@TourismLens/why-you-should-experience-carnival-in-the-dominican-republic-e78f9d300248 |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref>

Carnival masks are elaborate and colorful. The costumes used on the parades are satires of the Devil and are called "Diablos Cojuelos". They dance, and run to the rhythm of [[merengue music]] mixed with techno, hip-hop, and [[reggaeton]]. Additional [[allegorical]] characters represent Dominican traditions such as "Roba la Gallina" and "Califé".<ref name=":5" />

One of the most international parades is in [[San Pedro de Macorís]]. It exhibits the "Guloyas" parade of costumed groups dancing in the streets. Revelers flee from the "Diablos Cojuelos" who try to hit them with "Vejigas".<ref name=":5" />

The timing of the festivals has grown apart from its original religious synchronization with the period of Lent. With National Independence Day on 27 February and the birthday of [[Juan Pablo Duarte]], its founding father, on 26 January, the Carnival celebrations fill February regardless of the [[Lenten calendar]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Independence Day in the Dominican Republic |url=https://anydayguide.com/calendar/1793 |website=AnydayGuide |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415075919/https://anydayguide.com/calendar/1793 |url-status=live }}</ref>