Uruguay’s Carnival tradition Murga lifts up community

World Today

February is Carnival month.
Rio de Janeiro may get most of the attention with its world-famous parties and parades. Uruguay boasts the longest-running Carnival, which lasts for 40 days.
CCTV America’s Joel Richards reported this story from Montevideo, Uruguay.

All through February, groups of the traditional ‘Murga’ drive through Montevideo, from stage to stage, performance to performance.

The Murga is musical theater and a competition. Groups are rated on their costumes, their makeup, their music and the composition of their lyrics.

Murga performances are beyond comedy and entertainment, they also include social commentary.

At Carnival in Uruguay, you’ll also find candombe, a style of drumming with African roots that developed in neighborhoods in Montevideo.