wills

In Ecuador, New Year’s celebrations are steeped in unique traditions and peculiar rituals. One such eccentric custom is the creation and burning of Año Viejo effigies on the night of the 31st December each year. These events are part of a collective effort to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. The effigies—often representing political figures, celebrities or personal acquaintances—embody the struggles and triumphs of the year gone by. Often crafted with meticulous attention to detail, it's a therapeutic and communal process, allowing individuals to channel their hopes and grievances into the creation of these expressive figures. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"114707","attributes":{"alt":"New Year’s Eve effigies, known locally as monigotes, which are burned at midnight in Ecuador. (Renato / Adobe Stock)","class":"media-image","height":"459","style":"width: 610px