Festa dos Compadres, Santana

The first event of Madeira Carnaval is the Festa dos Compadres which takes place in the town of Santana.

We had a bus, not a tour, and about all our driver explained was that this "is not like Carnival in Rio." It's very down to earth, traditional and fun.

Unlike the elegant Samba dancers and the bling of the big parade, this is rural, simple and very very local.

The children and their schools started the parade. Each had distinctive costumes, dances and floats. These young lads dressed as plants were magnificently chaotic. They all danced their hearts out.

It poured and poured and, do you know, nobody seemed worried. It was just fun and crazy.

Following the floats and dancing based on schools, local organisations, churches and other groups continued. The rain got heavier, and it was still fun. In the extras you can see when the suckling pig fell into the fire and there was frantic stopping and sorting.

There were lots of really quite elderly participants.

After the parade there is judging and then some of the effigies that were pinned on the buildings are burnt. I can't explain. Not much English was spoken...... it was very different.