Broom man (Escobero)
He was the master of ceremony of the old candombes. He dances in front of the drum line, spinning and rolling a broom over his arms and body with prodigious skill, driving away any bad omens. His traditional costume is a leather loincloth adorned with bells, little mirrors or any other object that shines on the leather or wool.
Old mamma (Mama vieja)
This traditional figure that dances and interacts with the gramillero is represented by an older and robust woman dressed in a long skirt, a blouse, a headscarf and a fan or umbrella in her hand. She was the queen of the candombes of the colonial era. She represents the black woman who worked in multiple trades such as a laundress, a street vendor of empanadas and cakes, a housekeeper, and a wet nurse in the homes of whites.
Medicine man (Gramillero)
This figure represents the tribal doctor who cured diseases with magical powers and medicinal herbs, weeds or grasses. The white beard that he wears and his dance moves give account of his advanced age. In his right hand he carries a staff and in his left a small suitcase full of herbs. His traditional clothing is a top hat and black frock coat, parodying his masters.
Vedette
She was introduced as a character in the comparsa in the middle of the 20th century. She dances ahead of the drum line, sometimes accompanied by the figure of a dancer, interacting with the public through her charm and the sensuality of her movements. She wears clothing that highlights her voluptuous female body.
Homem com vassoura (Escobero)
Era o mestre-de-cerimônia dos antigos candombes. Ele dança na frente da bateria, girando e rolando uma vassoura sobre seus braços e corpo com habilidade prodigiosa, afastando qualquer mau presságio. Seu traje tradicional é uma tanga de couro adornada com sinos, espelhinhos ou qualquer outro objeto que brilhe no couro ou na lã.
Mamãe velha (Mama vieja)
Essa figura tradicional que dança e interage com o gramillero é representada por uma mulher mais velha e robusta vestida com saia longa, blusa, lenço na cabeça e leque ou guarda-chuva na mão. Ela foi a rainha dos candombes da época colonial. Ela representa a mulher negra que exerceu diversos ofícios como lavadeira, vendedora ambulante de empanadas e bolos, empregada doméstica e ama de leite nas casas dos brancos.
Curandeiro (Gramillero)
Esta figura representa o médico tribal que curava doenças com poderes mágicos e ervas medicinais ou gramíneas. A barba branca que usa e seus movimentos de dança dão conta de sua idade avançada. Na mão direita carrega um cajado e na esquerda uma maleta cheia de ervas. Sua vestimenta tradicional é cartola e sobrecasaca preta, parodiando seus mestres.
Vedette
She was introduced as a character in the comparsa in the middle of the 20th century. She dances ahead of the drum line, sometimes accompanied by the figure of a dancer, interacting with the public through her charm and the sensuality of her movements. She wears clothing that highlights her voluptuous female body.
Homme au balai (Escobero)
Il était le maître de cérémonie des anciens candombes. Il danse devant la ligne de batterie, tournant et roulant un balai sur ses bras et son corps avec une habileté prodigieuse, chassant tout mauvais présage. Son costume traditionnel est un pagne en cuir orné de grelots, de petits miroirs ou de tout autre objet qui brille sur le cuir ou la laine.
Vieille maman (Mama vieja)
Cette figure traditionnelle qui danse et interagit avec le gramillero est représentée par une femme plus âgée et robuste vêtue d’une longue jupe, d’un chemisier, d’un foulard et d’un éventail ou d’un parapluie à la main. Elle était la reine des candombes de l’époque coloniale. Elle représente la femme noire qui a exercé plusieurs métiers tels que blanchisseuse, vendeuse ambulante d’empanadas et de gâteaux, femme de ménage et nourrice chez les Blancs.
Homme-médecine (Gramillero)
Cette figure représente le médecin tribal qui guérissait les maladies avec des pouvoirs magiques et des herbes médicinales ou des graminées. La barbe blanche qu’il porte et ses pas de danse rendent compte de son âge avancé. Dans sa main droite, il porte un bâton et dans sa gauche une petite valise pleine d’herbes. Son vêtement traditionnel est un chapeau haut de forme et une redingote noire, parodiant ses maîtres.
Vedette
Elle a été introduite comme personnage dans la comparsa au milieu du XXe siècle. Elle danse devant la batterie, parfois accompagnée de la figure d’un danseur, interagissant avec le public par son charme et la sensualité de ses mouvements. Elle porte des vêtements qui mettent en valeur son corps féminin voluptueux.