It takes 100 men " Los cucuruchos" to carry a float this size, and they proceed along the Processional route with a coordinated hypnotic swaying movement - to literally keep it all afloat. Places are assigned by strict height measurement from ground to shoulder, and each bearer is given a "turn" and "shoulder" position on the platform issued on a postcard pinned to their purple robe.
Next come the women in black lace mantillas and stilettos stoically wielding the Virgin Mary aloft. The haze of the incense and passionate fervour is palpable in the strong, harsh sunlight...
The giant carved wooden figures of Christ carried on high in Guatemala are world renowned for the intensity of their Passion...
An intensity and religious fervour which is mirrored in the faces of the Procession leaders...
And of course the float bearers themselves...
The Easter Processions in Antigua are on an unprecedented scale in terms of religious devotion and visual spectacle. Don't miss this experience if you get a chance to go.... More posts to follow this week... In the meantime check out other windows on the world by clicking here for MyWorldTuesday posts.
13 comments:
Very interesting and colorful!
i have come across your blog and it's really wonderful.! hope you get more adventures there. good day.!
That is an amazing act of devotion!
Great photographs. They capture the vervor and intensity of the participants. I learned something new today!
wow, that looks incredible. i really must get myself to south america and central america one of these days...!
What striking images. I have quite a few blogger friends in Central and South America and the Easter processions are stunning everywhere!
100 people..wow! thats an amazing celebration..
Looks like an amazing week in Antigua.
I had no idea there was such a big ceremony there, very interesting.
That looks to be a very devout event.
you got much better shots than me! Yours are great. It was pretty spactacular, wasn't it? I loved the flower carpets the most - will be uploading some stuff soon....
Fascinating as always. I can't think of a single thing in my community that would compare to this....marching bands and middle-aged men driving little cars in the 4th of July parade just don't have the same fervor....
Amazing ... really amazing! I wonder if there are such well prepared Easter ceremonies in Europe. I visited Mexico five years ago and I was impressed by the devotion of native American Mexicans to the religion. I now see a similar scene in Antigua through your beautiful photos.
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