Ecuador is a beautiful country in South America. This country has a rich past. The people living here have retained their old cultures and traditions and still take pride in it. There are several holidays in Ecuador and Ecuador New Year is one such day.

This country observes a very unique tradition on the eve of 31st of December every year which is also the New Year in Ecuador. The people here celebrate the eve of 31st of December with the "anos viejos" (old years). Out here you will find human figurines which are stuffed dummies made with paper, sawdust, wood as well as firecrackers. These dummies are displayed through the whole of this nation before they are set on fire.

The stuffed human figurines characterize terrorists, local as well as international politicians and renowned personalities. These dummies represent the old year. Kids as well as women and many a times men dress as women in black. These men, women and children enact the old year's "widow" role. They move crying and demanding money or candies on the various streets of this country. They also go from one home to another for the previous year's figurine funeral. If the last year has been a very bad one, then many locals as well as the people dressed as figurine's widow kick or wipe the dummies before they are burned. This is done to have a good year. This tradition is maintained throughout this country and this is how the New Year in Ecuador is celebrated.

Apart from this, many other celebrations are also done. People dance and party here in the nightclubs. You will have a great time watching these traditional ceremonies in Ecuador as well as modern functions taking place at the same time in this country. The country of Ecuador has been able to retain its old and has also accepted the new with open arms.