The port of Mazatlán is about to experience the arrival of its biggest celebration, the International Carnival, which this 2025 will take place from February 27 to March 4.
As is tradition, the colorful figures known as giant monigotes begin to be installed along the boardwalk days before the carnival begins; this announces the joy, music and fun that will flood the city during this festivity.
These sculptures made of paper mache and wire, which reach up to eight meters in height, represent the theme of each year’s Carnival.
In this edition, the chosen theme is “La Perla”, a tribute to the identity and cultural wealth of Mazatlán.
This 2025, there will be eleven figures that will be strategically located in emblematic points of the boardwalk, such as the Valentino’s photographic viewpoint, the Fisherman’s Monument, the Plazuela Machado, among others.
Although today the puppets are an inseparable symbol of the boardwalk, this tradition has a different origin.
In the 1950s, it was customary to place two large figures on the corners of the Plazuela República, but these were very different from the ones we know today.
Over time, the tradition was modernized, and for years, the Municipal Institute of Culture has been in charge of coordinating the design and assembly of these pieces, which in each edition surprise with their creativity.
Monigotes
In this 2025, the puppets have been designed by both recognized artists who participate year after year, as well as by new talents, who contribute their vision to capture the essence of Carnival.
The word “monigote” has a particular meaning in Spanish. According to the Royal Spanish Academy, it can refer to a grotesque or poorly made figure; however, in Mazatlán, the puppets are unique pieces that tell stories.
Made with artisanal techniques such as paper mache and painted with bright colors, these figures are a sample of the ingenuity and passion of those who work on their creation.
The puppets are not only decorative; they are the visual announcement that Carnival is near, since their installation marks the beginning of the countdown for one of the most anticipated celebrations in the port and in Sinaloa.
With their imposing size and striking design, they attract attention and generate excitement among Mazatlan residents and those who visit the port.
Source: Luz Noticias
