MONDA - FIESTAS

CARNIVAL. Last weekend of February

The festive calendar of Monda begins with the Carnival. On these days the streets of Monda fill with merrymaking and joy. A festival of pagan origin in which the colourful murgas and chirigotas satyrise events that have happened during the year. The fancy dress contest and the competition for the best comparsa (carnival groups) mean that the costumes are more and more original every year.

EASTER WEEK. Depending on the Christian calendar

Shortly after, as for every year over the last three centuries, Easter Week is celebrated with the most fervent details. During this week the passion of Christ is commemorated, reflected in the processions of the penitent brotherhoods. The brotherhoods are composed of ‘Nazarenes’, penitents who accompany the religious statues, dressed in tunics and hoods. Normally the procession takes place in two “passes”, the first representing the passion and death of Christ, and the second in which the statue of de Virgin Mary is carried, her face reflecting sorrow and hope. There are brotherhoods of silence and others that parade accompanied by music The honour passes from fathers to sons for carrying the religious floats through the narrow streets lined with flower-filled balconies, constantly accompanied by the steps of the float-bearers which are interrupted only by the beautiful “saetas” (sacred songs) that are sung as it passes by. Worthy of mention is the Via Crucis to the Calvary that is made on Easter Thursday, and the moment when the Señor de los Azotes (the Whipped Christ), Jesús Nazareno (Jesus of Nazareth) and the Virgen de los Dolores (Virgin of Sorrows) are taken out of the church.

DAY OF MONDA SOUP. March

The pretensions of an indigenous product or a specifically traditional dish has resulted over the last few decades in one of the most popular fiestas in a number of villages in which these celebrations, without lessening the value of other much more traditional fiestas, have become strongly established as the best tourist attraction. With the arrival of spring, Monda celebrates the Day of the Monda Soup or ‘poncima’ soup. A giant-size wooden bowl, very typical in these mountain villages, is filled with bread which, later, will be moistened with a typical broth made from fried vegetable mixture (peppers, “hanging” tomatoes, garlic, oil) and eggs. The fiesta is held on a Sunday (the date varies) in March, in a grand lunch with participation of old and young, all making their soups in the village square, and to which any visitors are invited to sample and enjoy.

MONDA CULTURAL FESTIVAL. June and July

A series of cultural events and competitions of different kinds are held during the months of June and July. It starts at the beginning of June with the Painting Day, when painters come to Monda and, for a number of hours, paint any picturesque corner of the village, and their works are then displayed in the cellars beneath the Town Hall.

Then, in July, the Flamenco Song Competition and the Cultural Week are held, when theatre, lectures and even rock concerts are the focus of attention for people of all ages. Finally, there are two competitions that are deeply rooted in the tradition and folklore of Andalusia: the Regional Dance Competition and the Spanish Song Competition.

FAIR OF SAN ROQUE. From 15th to 18th August

These dates are days of merriment for all the villagers. The Square, overflowing with colour, welcomes everyone with dancing and music. The Fair starts with the traditional “diana floreada” (a tune announcing the commencement of festivities) and rockets set off from the Town Hall. During the fair time, various events are organised, such as horse shows, competitions and concerts, street parades of giants’ heads, and also a sampling of Monda-style gazpacho.

SHEPHERDS COMPETITION. Weekend before Christmas

This event is a demonstration of one of the most traditional musical events of the district of Malaga. On this day, half a dozen “shepherds” come to Monda to sing a wide repertoire of traditional Spanish Christmas carols, accompanied by the typical sounds of strings of bells, “zambombas” (a kind of rustic drum), a mortar, a bottle of anisette and other home-made instruments decorated with ribbons.