Semana Santa (Holy Week) this year lasted from Palm Sunday, April 5, to Easter Sunday, April 12. For a week, the hermandades (brotherhoods) in Sevilla parade though the streets, carrying the floats of Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary. After about 6 hours of their procession, they enter the church again. The penitentes are dressed in KKK-like tunics, so it probably seems disturbing, out of context. Some carry candles, some bear crosses on their shoulder. Their identities are supposed to be anonymous, their penitence only known by God. In truth, though, the Semana Santa is more of a cultural tradition, rather than a religious one.
Here are some videos, so you can witness a bit of Semana Santa:
("El Silencio" is one of the oldest and most important hermandades in Sevilla. The entire procession is very serious. Spectators are expected to maintain the silence, but you can hear a saeta in the background, a flamenco-like religious song.)
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Muchisimas gracias por compartir estas experiencias. Nunca habia visto un desfil de semana santa. Queria explorar como es cultural en vez de religioso.
ReplyDeleteLa mayoria de los espanoles es catolico, pero solamente por nombre. Es decir, los espanoles no tienen una idea clara de su fe; creen pero sus acciones no lo muestran. Celebran el bautismo, la primera comunion, y la Semana Santa, pero mas porque son tradiciones o expectivas sociales. Ademas de estas celebraciones, no asisten la misa ni rezan diariamente. Para el padre de mi casa, la Semana Santa tiene mas significado como el arte que la religion.
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