Guatemala 2018

Thursday1stNovember

The return to Antigua after our crazy day in Santiago Sacatepéquez will be no less surprising. A dimly lit street is teeming with people. It doesn't take much to draw us into what we discover to be a religious procession. And I can already make out pointed hats...

Costumed groups advance successively on the cobblestones, adding a dose of mystery to the atmosphere with their incense...

The capirote. It is this pointed, cone-shaped headwear usually seen during Holy Week at Easter. "Historically used by flagellants, the capirote was also present during death sentences pronounced by the Inquisition, where the condemned person was forced to wear this hat to be publicly humiliated.<\/i> [...] a variant of the capirote is used by some brotherhoods. This time, the headwear falls to the shoulders to cover the entire face, leaving only two holes for the eyes. It is part of the costume of the nazarenos (penitents).<\/i>" © Wikipedia

The black habit with the capirote is not the only costume worn tonight; the white tunic of the Arab emirates (kandoura or dishdasha) is also part of the scene.

And here is the classic alb under its chasuble.

As much as the spectators seem relaxed in front of this parade, the protagonists of the procession seem tense and absorbed.

Then comes the centerpiece of the procession, the parish float carrying Christ in his glass sarcophagus. The float is visible from afar, advancing slowly but surely with the swaying gait of its bearers, because yes, this immense vehicle moves on the shoulders of at least sixty faithful!  

The vibrant sound of drums accompanies the bearers, adding a little more weight to their float but also to the atmosphere...

Here is the impressive alignment of the bearers. Their hunched, absorbed posture leaves no doubt about their role here: that of penitents carrying the full weight of their peers' sins...

Each carries a "led" lantern, perhaps symbolizing that small glimmer of hope to survive the heavy burden of their faults.  

A brass band follows the procession, brass instruments have been added to the drums.

The float moves away from us, while spectators join the procession.

All these traditions in one day, that makes you hungry! We add another one with tacos, tortillas filled with meat...