The burning doll: a tradition which resists to die.

There are many ways to celebrate the new year  around the different countries in the world. The culture is something quite important at the time to celebrate such important date for everybody. In Colombia and most of South American countries, there is an interesting celebration called 'The burning doll' or its pair in  spanish 'Quema de año viejo'. The tradition basically consists of the making of a doll made of old clothes filled with sawdust and the owner usually tries to make the doll to reach a resemblace with a popular figure in his town or country.

Then, the doll is put in the terrace, balcony or garden, often sat on a chair or in the case of the inner part of Colombia, stood up. It is usual to put it outside 15 days before the new year and the popular legends  state that these dolls were created to reunite all the negatives experiences of the year and take them away with the burning to receive the new year with new energies and positive vibes. When december 31 finally arrives, 5 minutes before January 1 or at 12:00 the doll is burned and people enjoy the scene, singing happy new year, cuddling each other happily knowing that all the bad experiences of the years are gone with the doll burning and new ones are coming.

In Tolú, the tradition is still alive and the future generations have the duty to keep it and teach this wonderful lationamerican ritual.