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Corn Island celebrates traditional Crab Festival

Arquimedes Hernández | Aug 26, 2013

Crab Festival celebration in 2012. | Photographer: Diana Nivia

Comparsas and local cuisine to celebrate the 172 anniversary of the abolition of slavery.

The Creole population of the caribbean islands of Corn Island started from today its traditional Crab Festival with cultural activities and a craft and food fair celebrating the third anniversary of the Island House of Culture and the 172 anniversary of the abolition of slavery. For three days this town is full of celebrations, offering local and foreign tourists the excitement and dances of their comparsas, which will go through the main streets of the island on a colorful parade involving the candidates for Miss Corn Island and all the islanders.

Traditional crab soup
The local cuisine is one of the main players in the festivities, which will include the preparation of the traditional crab soup, which is offered free of charge to visitors that accompany the traditional activities.

Crab Festival 2012: Photo Gallery

Onix Wilson, head of the House of Culture, said that this year has been prepared a fair to promote crafts and local cuisine, and August 27th there is scheduled the comparsas carnival where you can observe dances and music of the place. For this carnal Wilson said he will have the participation of 7 carrozas and 5 comparsas, but more will be adding during the festival, the carnival will start from 6:00 am, through the main streets of the island.

Parade in 2012
For the day August 28th cultural performances will be held in addition to that election of Miss Corn Island, in the municipal stadium. The activity is scheduled for 6:00 pm, said Wilson.

Each year Corn Island welcomes the abolition of slavery with the Crab Festival, Onix Wilson explains. On August 27th of 1841, British Colonel Alexander McDonald came to Corn Island to declare the freedom of the 98 slaves on behalf of Queen Victoria of England and King Roberto Carlos Federico from La Mosquitia (ancient Indian kingdom and British protectorate comprising the Caribbean of Honduras and Nicaragua).

A turist tasting traditional cuisine.

Translated by Cynthia Cordero