The tradition of political and social satire takes many forms throughout Latin America, and in Uruguay culture, “murga” is a distinct and colorful Carnival tradition in the country.

Uruguayan murga has it’s roots in the chirigota of Cadiz, Spain, but has evolved into a unique form of musical theater that takes place in late January or early March. Murga groups are made up of around a dozen people that perform sets of songs arranged into musical plays that lasts 45 minutes to an hour and are performed on stages throughout Montevideo.

The songs are commentaries on current events and social issues of the past year sung by a chorus in extravagant Carnival costumes and traditionally accompanied by bass drum, snare drum, and cymbals.

Murgas, like other forms of Carnival singing throughout Latin America, are often used to satirize unpopular government figures or policies. In Uruguay culture, populist political groups sometimes adopt the songs and the groups that sing them as symbols of opposition and revolutionary fervor.

The opening song of a murga, the saludo, and the closing song, the retirada, are considered the most important, and popular ones get played on the radio during Carnival.

Elaborate makeup and costumes are part of Uruguay culture during murgas.