Revelers in the Ecuadorean village of Pillaro are ringing in the new year with a unique Latin American tradition: Dancing through the streets wearing giant devil masks with protruding horns and angry grimaces.

Nearly a week of festivities concluded Saturday as locals paraded in costume to the sound of trumpets and saxophones. Some spend hundreds of dollars on intricately painted masks.

There are diverging stories on how the tradition began. Similar celebrations are held in countries including Mexico, Peru and Bolivia.

Organizer Maria Alvarez says that in Ecuador it likely started nearly a century ago when young men from outside villages vying for girls’ attention dressed as devils to hide their identity from angry relatives.

The festivities are said to grant blessings for the new year.

A boy wearing a devil mask participates in the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

A man wearing a devil mask dances during the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Women ready for the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

A man adjusts his devil mask as he prepares to take part in the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

People dressed in costumes take a break during the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Dressed for the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", a participant strikes a pose in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

A man wearing a devil mask and a group of musicians parade during the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Couples representing the more affluent line dance during the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

A person dons a wire mesh mask representing the more affluent during the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

A man wearing a devil mask takes part in a parade as part of the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Revelers watch as people dressed as devils parade past during the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Musicians perform during the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Revelers wear wire mesh mask that represent the more affluent during the traditional New Year's festival known as "La Diablada", in Pillaro, Ecuador, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Text from the AP news story, Ecuadorean village rings in new year with devil dance.

Photos by Dolores Ochoa

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