Thursday, March 6, 2008

Samana Santa


Holy Week/Easter in Spain

Spain is renowned in the world for its Holy Week traditions. Seville, Malaga, and San Fernado in Cadiz see the most glamorous celebrations, while those of Castille-Leon see the more sombre and solemn events.

A common feature in Spain is the almost general usage of the "nazareno" or penitential robe for the participants in the Processions. This garment consists in a tunic, a hood with conical tip ( "capirote") used to conceal the face of the wearer, and sometimes a cloak. The exact colors and forms of these robes depend on the particular procession. The robes were widely used in the medieval period for penitents, who could demonstrate their penance while still masking their identity. (These robes intentionally served as the basis for the traditional uniform for members of the Ku Klux Klan in the United States, ironically a very anti-Catholic organization.) These "Nazarenos" carry processional candles or rough hewn wooden crosses, may walk the city streets barefoot, and, in some places may carry shackles and chains on their feet as penance. In other sections of the participants wear dress freely inspired in the uniforms of the Roman Legion.

The processions mark the main religious celebrations in Spain but none as the processions of Málaga. Holy Week in Malaga are famous countrywide Processions start on Palm Sunday and continue until Easter Sunday with the most dramatic and solemn on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Images from the Passion on huge ornate "tronos" (floats or thrones) with more than 5.000 kilos carried by more than 250 members shape the processions that go for the streets with penitents dressed in long purple robes, often with pointed hats, followed by women in black carrying candles. Drums and trumpets play solemn music and occasionally someone spontaneously sings a mournful saeta dedicated to the floats it makes its way slowly round the streets.

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