Saturday, April 25, 2009

The History of Humanity in Tenerife

Provided Mount Teide doesn't erupt and wipe out the species first, it's never too early to organize the next party in Tenerife - especially the biggest one of them all, the Santa Cruz Carnaval 2010.

Today, Tinerguia announced the contest to design the poster for next year's carnaval. You may not be interested in that (or maybe you will, when you learn that there's a 3,000 euro prize, although I guess that's not a lot compared to the 60,000 euro purse for the racing pigeons), but what you may like to know is the theme for next year's event: La Historia de la Humanidad.

Which translates to The History of Humanity, for readers of English.

A far-reaching subject open to many interpretations and particularly apt, since it all started next-door in Africa, in or about the year 50,000 b.c.

A Very Short History of Humanity says, "Our history is filled with terror, death, treachery, and cruelty, but we are always struggling to be better than we are."

One wonders about the latter when you watch the antics of many. Indeed, from this history of humanity in one picture, it does appear that the only things we see in all periods of time are: sex and violence. All that seems to change through the various eras (and carnavals) are the costumes.

This really has less to do with the Carnaval celebrations than you might imagine, because the record for trouble is actually very good, but this image might give you some ideas on suitable outfits (definitely anything, or nothing, goes.)

And it would be nice to think that, whilst still having lots of fun, people could become more aware of mankind's progress and the wider issues that concern us. For more scholarly reference: UNESCO Collection of History of Humanity.

Carnaval in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, declared of International Tourist Interest, takes place between the 12th and 21st February, 2010, with the Gran Coso Apoteosis - Carnaval's Main Parade on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010.

Photo of a cayuco from Africa, by noborder network

Labels: Carnaval 2010