History of Semana Santa/Holy Week

History of Semana Santa

“As with any cultural celebration, Spain’s elaborate Semana Santa was for centuries a work-in-progress. The starting point for its extensive history is the death of Christ; however, the celebration that we see today is the result of centuries of evolution.” 

“A significant point in Semana Santa’s history is 1521, when the Marqués de Tarifa returned to Spain from the Holy Land. After his journey, he institutionalized the Vía Crucis (Stations of the Cross) in Spain, and from that moment on this holy event was celebrated with a procession. Over time, the observance of the Vía Crucis eventually broke up into the various scenes of the Passion, with the incorporation of portable crosses and altars. This would eventually lead to today’s elaborate processions.” 

“Check out any map of Seville’s Semana Santa routes and you will see the official route clearly marked. This original route, while it has evolved since 1604, continues to serve as the backbone for the present route. The final major step took place in the 17th century, when Seville’s various cofradías (brotherhoods) began dividing and organizing themselves into what they are today.”

 

 

Thanks to http://www.enforex.com/culture/semana-santa.html for quotes and information on the history of Semana Santa.  For additional information, please also visit http://www.turismo.sevilla.org/paginas_en/consejosSemanaSanta.asp. 

Mix of Christian and Mayan tradition

Imágenes are religious sculptures that were made during the Spanish rule, dating back to the 17th century.  The faithful believe that the sculptures will grant believers their requests.  In some places in Guatemala, these sculptures are considered divine religious figures. The sculptures played a principal role in the conversion of the Maya to Catholicism when the Maya personified the sculptures with the stories of their own deities.

 

Thanks to www.questconnect.org/guat_semana_santa.htm (which acknowledges “Culture and Customs of Guatemala, Lent and Holy Week in Antigua” as a source).

Passion Play

In addition to special mass ceremonies, an important element of Semana Santa is the Passion Play. Brought to Mexico by Christian missionaries from Europe, the Passion Play is a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus. The Passion Play represents a vital element of European culture. In Mexico, brilliant Aztec colors are prevalent, and ancient dances are often performed alongside Christian rituals. 

Holy Week Food

Street vendors sell everything from grilled meats to ice cream and fried breads. You will find women selling freshly squeezed orange juice, as well as small children peddling ice cream and candy. Bring local currency to purchase food from vendors.

 

History of Alfombras (Holy Week Carpets)

There are several different theories regarding the history of the alfombras.

The Christian theory for carpet making appears to stem from the Bible itself. The Canonical Gospels describe how Jesus rode into Jerusalem, where people laid down their cloaks and small branches of trees.

Another theory is that local residents threw pine needles on the cobblestone streets to make it easier on the feet of the penitents carrying the floats (andas). Then later, some neighborhoods added flower petals. From there each street, wanting to outdo the other, started adding designs—until brilliantly colored sawdust alfombras became the norm.

Some say the custom of making carpets can be attributed to Spain and the Canary Islands. However, it is believed that in pre-Hispanic times Mayans made carpets for ceremonial reasons, which carried over to Holy Week celebrations. 

Streets are covered with aromatic carpets (alfombras)

Carpets (“alfombras”)

On Good Friday, streets are covered with aromatic carpets (alfombras) of vibrant and beautiful flowers, pines, clover, and fruits. Alfombras form intricate, delicate carpets on the street pavement for the processional route to walk on. Some are long—more than half a mile long—with religious, colonial, Mayan, Roman, or other original designs. Everywhere you turn, you can smell the sweet smell of bougainvillea, chrysanthemums, carnations, roses, lilies, orchids, and other flowers in every color imaginable. 

The themes for the carpets are usually religious. Crosses and hearts are common symbols, but there are also political motifs and the occasional Mayan or Roman themed carpet, depending on where in the world you are partaking in Holy Week. 

How Alfombras (carpets) Are Made

“Sand or sawdust is generally used to level the cobblestone roadway. Sawdust is then collected and dyed in different colors. Favorite colors include purple, green, blue, red, yellow, and black. Flowers such as bougainvillea, chrysanthemums, carnations, roses, and other native plants and pine needles are also used.”

 Before laying the base, the spot is washed with a garden hose. Not only does it clean the area, it also holds down the sawdust base, gluing it to the street. A frame of 2x4s is made, and a layer of raw sawdust is poured to make the carpet level since the cobblestone streets are not flat. For builders to work in the middle of a carpet, large boards are placed across a carpet resting on the 2x4s. After a carpet is made, it is sprayed with water again.

 Pictures are welcomed, and praise of one’s work is even better. However, it is not recommended to offer tips for their work. This generally brings astonishment; after all, these are selfless works of art made as sacrificial offerings to Christ.

 

 

 

Thanks to http://www.travelyucatan.com/maya/mayan_holy_week_carpets.php and http://www.questconnect.org/guat_semana_santa.htm for quotes and information on alfombras. 

Holy Week Quick Glance

Semana Santa or Holy Week is one of the most important and celebrated week in Catholics around the globe. Semana Santa, Holy Week, celebrates the last days of Christ’s life here on earth. It also is the end of Lent. Semana Santa is observed with a range of celebrations, from the most solemnly religious, to a mix of pagan/Catholic, to commercial.

Each day throughout the week there are different rituals, processions through the streets of many towns some of the processions continue around the clock. Participants can be found on their knees or carrying large wooden crosses or floats depicting the last days of Christ and Virgin Mary. In addition there are masses of people observing the event, prayer meetings, and thousands of devout Catholics doing homage. Semana Santa begins on Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) through Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday) and Viernes Santo (Good Friday, culminating in Pascua or Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday).