Fire, masks and folklore at Paraguay’s Kamba Ra’anga festival

The festival honours Saints Peter and Paul but also blends Catholic rituals with Indigenous and African traditions.

Men dressed in banana leaves as "Guaycurú" figures chase children through the streets, who defend themselves with burning straw.

Masks hold a central place in the festivities — some depict animals or social archetypes, while others carry deep symbolism rooted in colonial history.

The Kamba mask dates back to the 17th century and reflects a fusion of Indigenous and African cultures.

The community spends months preparing, gathering dried banana leaves and carving wooden masks.

For many in Altos, it’s more than a festival — it’s a living tradition.