![\"Jumping](\"https:\/\/www.laylita.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Jumping-over-the-burning-Ano-Viejos-in-Ecuador.jpg\" "\\"Jumping")
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These are some of the most popular and fun traditions for celebrating New Year\u2019s Eve or A\u00f1o Viejo in Ecuador. People usually hang out with friends and family during the day. For my last visit to Ecuador we had a \u201cchanchada\u201d or pork cook out party with my brother\u2019s in laws family. At night time, especially in small towns, there are celebrations and dancing on the streets \u2013 usually in the main square. At midnight everyone brings out their A\u00f1o Viejo figures or effigy dolls, make a large pile, and burns them to represent burning the old year. Here\u2019s a quick overview of some of my favorite Ecuadorian traditions for celebrating the end of the year:<\/p>\n
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We make (or buy) a life size effigy or dummy that represents the old year and to burn it at midnight. These dolls are usually made to look like celebrities or politicians, both local and international. The effigy can be someone who died during the year or who made a lot of headlines, it can also be someone people really love or someone they really hate. Did I mention that politicians were very popular A\u00f1o Viejos? There are neighborhood contests for the best A\u00f1o Viejo and you can either make your own or buy them already made.<\/p>\n
![\"Burning](\"https:\/\/www.laylita.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Burning-the-Ano-Viejo-effigies-in-the-street-in-Ecuador.jpg\" "\\"Burning")
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At midnight you burn your effigy, in a large pile on the street. Some {brave} people jump over the fire three times for good luck \u2013 this is easier to do if the pile is smaller, but a challenge for larger piles. Or if you\u2019ve been drinking all day\/night.<\/p>\n
![\"A\u00f1o](\"https:\/\/www.laylita.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Ano-Viejo-doll-masks-for-sale.jpg\" "\\"A\u00f1o")
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It shouldn\u2019t be a surprise that when the A\u00f1o Viejo or Old Year passes on, he leaves a Viuda or Widow, who needs financial support. At least that\u2019s the logic. During the day on the 31st, you will see guys who dress up in black dresses (or any dress) and wear wigs\/make-up. They will go to popular intersections or parks and stop cars\/passerby\u2019s asking for money. They are usually very dramatic; they dance, and also cry about how their beloved A\u00f1o Viejo has died. It is hilarious. In small towns you will usually know most of the guys who are dressed as viudas \u2013 which makes it even more entertaining. Oh, and the money they get will be used to buy beer\/drinks to celebrate at night.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.laylita.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/The-widows-or-Viudas-stopping-cars-for-money-on-New-Years-Eve.jpg\" "\\"The")
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When someone dies they leave a will or testament for their family. The A\u00f1o Viejo is no exception and he\/she makes sure to leave a funny tongue in cheek written will for the family or the whole town. The testament will mention events from the old year \u2013 the good, the bad, the funny \u2013 that are somewhat satirical and involves listing items and\/or advice that you would leave to your friends\/family\/famous people so that they will make better choices or be better off in New Year. These testaments can be written in the form of a basic letter, a rhyming poem, a song, etc. They can be read at the town or family celebrations or even displayed as posters next to A\u00f1o Viejos on display. They are usually very creative and very politically incorrect. There are also contests for people to submit their testaments.<\/p>\n
![\"A\u00f1o](\"https:\/\/www.laylita.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Ano-Viejo-and-Testament-display-in-Ecuador.jpg\" "\\"A\u00f1o")
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This is one of my favorites and I make everyone do this tradition even here in the US (yeah, the neighbors think we\u2019re crazy). It\u2019s pretty easy: at midnight take an empty suitcase and run around the block with it. This will bring you good travels and adventure in the New Year. Add some coins or cash to your suitcase, so you that can you also have some prosperity \u2013 or stay at decent hotels during your travels. If you don\u2019t live on a block or it\u2019s one of those very long blocks, you can just run up and down the street for a minute or even around the house.<\/p>\n
If you are in Ecuador (or other Latin American countries during the end of December don\u2019t be surprised to see people selling yellow underwear on the street. People believe that if you are wearing yellow underwear at midnight you will have good luck and prosperity in the New Year. If you are looking for love\/passion then wear red. I\u2019m trying to find some yellow ones with red hearts.<\/p>\n
This tradition is common everywhere from Spain to Latin America. Eat 12 grapes at midnight, each grape represents a month in the New Year. Ask for a wish with each grape that you eat. Some people say that if you eat them under the table you will be extra lucky.<\/p>\n
![\"Grapes](\"https:\/\/www.laylita.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Grapes-for-good-luck-in-the-New-Year.jpg\" "\\"Grapes")
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An overview of the some of the most popular New Year\u2019s Eve or A\u00f1o Viejo celebrations in Ecuador. Traditions include the Old Year effigy or doll, reading the testament, the widows, yellow underwear, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":735,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[41,8,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-south-america","category-traditions","category-ecuador"],"yoast_head":"\n