Photos

Just off Montevideo's harborside and port is a small museum dedicated to Carnival, a usually Catholic celebration before Lent. While South America's best known Carnival is that of northern neighbor Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo's is actually the longest in the world, with more than 40 days of continuous celebration starting in January. One of the main attractions of Uruguay's Carnival is candombe, a song and dance culture derived from African slaves who were brought to Uruguay in the 18th and 19th centuries.

These Papier-mâché figures were located at the far back of a mostly darkened room with strong spotlights on each piece of art. Their bright colors, harsh light, and grotesque expressions drew my attention. Much of the rest of the room was also devoted to costumes and puppets of the Carnival, making it a fascinating stop on our visit to Montevideo.