Easter Processions

Easter processions here are rather interesting. We managed to go to the ones in Bilbao, Burgos, and Madrid. Of course, these are really long processions so we just hang out long enough to see the virgin or Jesus and then we go get dinner.

The first thing that shocked me was the religious brotherhoods wear robes and caps that make them look like KKK to me. It really scared me at first and I had to make sure I could translate that image into a positive one. The picture above is a good example. In any case, here are some quick, interesting tidbits about Easter processions:

1. Usually one brotherhood is responsible for the procession on a given night (this goes on for the whole week). The other brotherhoods are in the procession too but they aren't holding the relics.

2. Depending on where you live and what the tradition is, the brotherhoods might be carrying the relic on their shoulders (imagine 12 guys underneath and on the sides). In Bilbao for example, the really heavy statue with San Juan had wheels below it and the brotherhood still carried it but did not have the entire weight to carry. However, the virgin was carried directly on the shoulders for hours.

3. Apparently in some pueblos, the brotherhoods aren't in charge of the procession and rather people PAY money to carry the virgin on their shoulders. I was told that in this case, the town has an auction and people pay thousands of Euros to have this pleasure.

4. In Madrid we even saw a guy who had his feet chained and was barefoot. Ok, now for me this is sacriligious considering it's still cold outside!!! Manuel explained to me that in this case, most likely this person was a prisoner (not for a serious crime) and they have let him free in Easter week / forgiveness and all that jazz. So he has to walk the procession barefoot and chained.