Donkeys in fancy dress for popular festival

Описание: (9 May 2002)

1. Zoom in to donkey dressed as World Trade Center
2. Donkeys arriving
3. Various donkey polo match
4. Polo player falls off donkey, pan to crowd laughing
5. Player taking penalty
6. Various of polo game
7. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Emanuel Herrera, Local historian
"So the people from Otumba said, 'Well, we are donkeys,' so we need to celebrate this. And they proposed to hold a party every year. They chose May 1 because people don't work anyway on this day and it started in 1965."
8. Various donkey dressed as Osama bin Laden, with the twin towers on its back
9. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Voxpop
"I am representing Osama Bin Laden with the twin towers, one of the towers, the smaller one, represents Mexico and the taller one is the United States. It's saying that they are not alone, that we are all united as friends of peace."
10. Zoom in to donkey dressed as twin towers

STORYLINE:

For almost 40 years the people of a central Mexican village have celebrated the "Day of the Donkey".

The festival is held annually in Otumba, near the famous Teotihuacan pyramids, and celebrates the animals' highly-valued work.

On May Day, villagers spill onto the streets to marvel at a colourful array of donkeys in fancy dress and watch races and polo matches in the main square.

A parade with music from local village bands starts early in the morning and finishes at dusk, while a giant "tianguis" - or pre-hispanic market - sells alcholic drinks, traditional food and crafts.

This year's biggest hit was a donkey dressed as Osama bin Laden, although Mexican President Vicente Fox and Cuban leader Fidel Castro were also popular.

Asses feature large in the history of Otumba - people from the village have long been nicknamed "donkeys" for their strong work ethic, although many people say its owed more to their stubborness.

But some fear the festival is under threat - an increasing number of machines used in agriculture means the number of donkeys taking part in the festival is declining annually, although it's unlikely they'll disappear altogether.

At between 50 and 200 U-S dollars each, the beasts of burden are still affordable for people without motorised vehicles and essential for passing some of the area's rugged terrain.

It's no coincidence the festival is held on May Day, which is international labour day.

Unfortunately for the donkeys they're unable to protest against their working conditions and have to work on the day of the festival.

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