El Marimonda

Marimonda is said to be one of the most emblematic characters of carnival.  They look like a mixture between an elephant and a monkey.  They were invented to make fun of the Spanish conquistadores who settled there.  The people donned ridiculous costumes out of what they could find and paraded through the streets acting in extreme exaggeration and general silliness.  They emulate this behavior in today’s portrayals.