An effigy is traditionally burned in Ecuador on New Year's Eve to symbolize leaving the old year behind.
The figures are commonly called años viejos, meaning “old years.” Families or communities make human-shaped dolls from materials such as paper, cardboard, cloth, sawdust, or straw. At midnight, or near it, the effigies are burned as a symbolic farewell to the past year.
Many figures represent disliked public figures, fictional characters, or personal misfortunes. Their destruction can therefore function as both a humorous social commentary and a ritual of renewal. Some displays are carefully constructed and form part of neighborhood competitions or public exhibitions.
Safety rules and environmental concerns affect how the tradition is practiced, and not every effigy is burned in the same way. The custom is distinct from New Year's fireworks: its central object is a representation of the old year, not an aerial display.