Antigua Guatemala - photos 4

Antigua - Palm Sunday procession:

Palm Sunday commemorates the entrance of Jesus in Jerusalem in the days before his Passion and palm leaves are blessed. That was for the information.

We have been a little disappointed by this procession. I think the celebration of the Semana Santa (Holy Week) has been reported so fabulous that we probably expected to see more people in the procession (not tourists) and more "opulence". But it was still interesting to watch the procession because in our countries the celebrations are different (and less spectacular).

- During the Holy Week processions, inhabitants create what we can call "rugs" or "alfombras" on the streets in front of their houses. This tradition is very important and very strong in Guatemala. These rugs are made from wood shreds which have been colored before their use and flowers, seeds, fruits, leaves... This tradition is more than 500 years old and can be attributed to an heritage of the indigenous culture amplified with a Spanish influence. This kind of decoroation can be found in the Canary Islands or in the Catalan region. During the colonial era, the Franciscans encouraged to create these rugs maintenaining the religiousness of people. Today, by preparing these rugs, people and families show their attachment to the religion. Only the people carrying the portable platforms can march on these rugs,
By order of entrance during the procession:
- Roman soldiers,
- Penitents wearing purples tunics walking on each side of the road,
- Portable platform of the Christ,
- Small platforms of the Virgen and the Christ,
- Platform of the Virgin Mary,
-...and the cleaners with a superb new truck to collect all the remains of the "alfombras" and any rubbishes left by the crowd!! What an organisation!!