Boys celebrating Carnaval (2024) in Copandaro De Galena, Michoacán, Mexico. My mother's hometown, where she was born and raised. The word Copándaro is a Purépecha word that means "place of the avocado." Every year in Copandaro, before Ash Wednesday, a week-long carnaval takes place. During this time, there are weddings, baptisms, jaripeos with bandas, cavalcades, food vendors, rides & games, and excessive amounts of alcohol.