Float with Mary carried by the Women of the church

This float is Mary Magdalene and is carried by a couple of women of the church.

This float is carried by approx. 100 men. 50 on each side.

Antigua was built in an era of fantastic colonial wealth. Founded in 1543, Antigua is one of the oldest colonial cities in all of the Americas.
Resting quietly in the valley of the Rio Pensativo, Antigua is surrounded by three enormous volcanoes; Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. History and geology have conspired to create a city of understated style and elegance in an absolutely spectacular corner of the world.
In 1773, one more in a long line of major earthquakes forced moving the capital of Guatemala from Antigua to its present location in Guatemala City. The seismic activity that led to Antigua being all but abandoned two hundred thirty years ago has limited development since, and along with some enlightened city planning, has preserved the best of Antigua while offering the amenities the modern traveler expects.

We arrived a few days before Ash Wednesday and were rewarded with 5 weeks of interesting customs and eye inspiring art.

We homestayed with the Reyes Family, total immersion and were enrolled in Spanish classes 5 days a week for 4 weeks, 7 ½ hrs a day. Muchos espanol.

Antigua, Guatemala is home to the largest Easter celebration in the world in which the Passion, the Crucifix and the Resurrection of Jesus are commemorated. The procession is rooted in Andalusian tradition and was brought over by Spanish missionaries in the 16th Century.
The processions begin on the Sunday following Ash Wednesday, with images of Jesus of Nazareth and the Holy Virgin of Sorrows being carried on floats from the churches on the shoulders of devotees. These floats can weigh up to several tons and require 50-100 people to bear the weight. The carriers, or cucuruchas dress in traditional Maya costume on this day and recreate Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. Although there is a definite level of social status involved in being a cucurucha, penance is the primary inspiration. The people of the church pay 30 – 50 Quenzales to have the honour of carrying the float for one city block.
The processions begin with boys dressed in Roman garb, then follows the priests and incense, Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mother Mary. The Mary float is carried by the women of the church dressed in black and veils.
Each weekend begins on the Friday when the church of the week presents their carpet and their alters. The atmosphere around the church is one of a carnival. Rides for the children, carney type foods and many people celebrating. After the mass on the Sunday the people from the church begin their 12 hr route through the streets of Antigua. It starts at 1000hr and ends back at the church at 2300 hrs.

We took the chicken bus to the neighbouring town to observe the opening of the church to display their carpet. These carpets take 12 hrs to make. They are made with sawdust that has been coloured and stencils made up by the artists. (also members of the church) The picture above demonstrates the scene where San Pedro (St Peter) denies knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crows. (Morning). These very life like figures are made with paper mache. The faces are so realistic you could swear they were actors. These carpets are on display for 1 week then a new one is created for the following week.

The Holy week, Monday through Thursday, the streets are filled with similar events, in memory of his final days on Earth. Each evening, a funeral band plays outside of the church, and the people gather around for food, drink, and games.
On the afternoon of Good Friday, the city is dressed in black, along with its devotees. Black crepe paper is strung throughout town on the buildings and trees, and thousands of mourners clothed in black burn incense and carry lanterns. A man bearing the crucifix, followed by supporters carrying banners engraved with Jesus’ last words, leads the procession. The masses pray quietly, while some more emotional followers weep and perform penitence. The thickness of incense in the air, along with statues of a crucified Jesus creates a haunting atmosphere. The image of Christ is laid to rest in the church at 11 pm. In our pictures you will find the picture that has the Jesus that is used for Holy week. The figurine is so life like. Almost gory.
Holy Saturday’s funeral processions are dedicated to images of the Virgin Mary. These floats are relatively smaller and carried by women dressed in their best outfits and often in high heeled-shoes! Easter Sunday is a jubilant festival celebrating the Resurrection of Christ, and fireworks can be seen and heard throughout the city. The mood is casual and joyful on this day. We unfortunately did not get to witness this event and are relaying what has been discribed to us by all our teachers, our homestay family any pretty much every other person we encountered. Ken and I have been invited back for Holy Week next year, and will be helping with the carpet for the school we attended. I will post this then continue in another post.