Semana Santa Essential Vocabulary

Acólitos: (Altar boys): In charge of carrying processional candlesticks and incense in front of the canopied floats.

Antifaz: (Masks, veils): Pieces of cloth or hood worn by some members of the procession that cover the head and face of the Nazarene penitents, opened with two slits at eye level. They preserve the identity of the brothers.

Armao: Macarena’s brother dressed up as a Roman legionary who strolls behind the Jesús de la Sentencia float (the Christ figure pertaining to the Macarena brotherhood).

Banda de música: The band that accompanies all of the processions except for the silent ones.

Bulla: Huge crowds of people who congregate alongside the religious floats and in specific areas following the routes of the procession.

Capataz (Overseers): Men who are situated in front of the floats guiding the steps of the costaleros (team who transport the huge floats on their shoulders); overseeing the success of these monumental floats make way through the winding streets of Seville.

Capillita: Popular name given to those people involved throughout the whole year in everything regarding brotherhood activities and whose efforts are culminated during Holy Week.

Capirote: Pieces of cardboard that Nazarenes wear on head, under hooded robe. No nicknames such as capirucho or cucurucho (conehead) are accepted.

Centuria: (Centurion): Armed soldiers, proud protectors of the Macarena. Well worth observing them as they parade by. It is no easy task belonging to this group of guards.

Cirial: (Processional candles): Tall candles carried by altar boys who from a distant bring joy and relief to crowds who’ve been waiting impatiently; announcers of the final arrival of a float.

Costal: Piece of cloth that the costaleros place on their heads to assist in carrying the heavy weight of the floats.

Costaleros: Men who carry the religious floats. In ancient times they were carried by dock-workers or masons who were hired for this event. Nowadays most costaleros are members of brotherhoods who even pay a quota to participate.

Cruz de guía: (Guiding cross): Which opens the procession flanked by two Nazarenes carrying lanterns.

Chicotá: Name given to the actual route a float carries out, from the moment in which the capataz indicates the commencement by raising his voice, until it reaches its final destination.

Esparto: Type of wide skirt made of esparto grass worn often by Nazarenes on top of their robes.

Hermano mayor: (Head brother): In charge of brotherhood of Nazarenes, chosen democratically. Often carries a golden post during the procession.

Incensario: (Censer): Ceremonial brass container with top and chains, in which incense is burned. Its smoky presence is key in pervading all senses, especially smell.

Levantá: Moment in which the capataz rings a bell indicating the lifting of the floats. Depending on the type/size of the float, this movement is made in one gesture or slowly.

Llamador: Metal bell, located on the front of the float which the capataz rings with a small hammer, indicating the lifting or putting down of the float. Some are examples of extraordinary craftmanship.

Madrugá: The night/dawn between Holy Thursday and Good Friday during which time the Pasión de Jesús (Christ’s Passion) occurs; the most intense moment of the Holy Week.

Mantilla: (Lace mantilla): Piece of embroidered cloth used with a large ornate comb is traditionally used my women of Seville the afternoon of Holy Thursday and to a lesser extent on the morning of Good Friday; defining the traditional female.

Manto: Large ornately embroidered noble cloaks which drape over the effigey of the Virgin and extended over a large frame, covers the back of the float.

Marcha: (March): Musical composition that accompany most of the routes of the floats, many of which are of beautiful pieces and of enormous musical quality. Examples include works such as: Amargura, Virgen del Valle or Jesús de las Penas.

Mecer: (Swaying): Peculiar movement made by costaleros in rhythm to the music. Accompanied by others who sway the lanterns, dressed in cloaks; all together provide a splendourous spectacle.

Monumento: (Monument): The stagging of the floats composed of statues of angles, candlesticks, flowers and other decorative motifs are placed in numerous churches on Holy Thursday to commemorate the institution of the Eucarist. These stages represent the last remains of ephemeras Rennaisance and Baroque architecture.

Nazareno: (Nazarenes): Brotherhood members who make up the processional entourage and who carry candles or insignias, are dressed in tunics, capes and masked.

Palcos: (Stands): Tiers set up in Plaza de San Francisco, adjacent to the City Hall and considered the most “noble” section of the Official Route (Carrera Oficial). These terrace seats are not rented on a daily fee and can take years to reserve.

Palio: Cloth canopies that cover a framework of poles which support the religious floats, acting as a roof protecting the statue of the Virgin. Many are authentic works of art, embroidery and craftsmanship.

Paso: (Religious Floats and Sculptures): Group of images and statues carried on these stages. They can be scenes of Christ, Jesus, the Virgin Mary or a series of sculptures representing a specific scene of the Passion, know as misterio (mystery).

Penitente: (Penitent): Brotherhood members of the processional entourage who carry wooden crosses, dressed in tunics and masked. Unlike the Nazarenes, they do not wear a cape.

Recogida: (Retreating): Path taken by cofradías from the Cathedral back to their temples.

Saeta: (Flamenco style song): Brief flamenco ballad usually sung from a balcony. The lyrics are an emotional praise to the respective effigies and statues.

Trabajadera: Large wooden beams that the costaleros use to carry the floats.

Varal: (Metal poles): Twelve vertical poles that support the canopies framework of the floats. These beautifully decorated crafted pieces characteristically represent the slight movement of the floats carried by the costaleros.

Viewing Holy Week Processions

Patience! Don’t be afraid to ask a local.

Keep in mind that with all the crowds and multiple processions, it is impossible to experience all that Semana Santa has to offer. It would be the equivalent of expecting to see all that Disney World has to offer in one day! So the best thing to do is map out the week’s events like you would any other trip—find out the procession’s routes, choose the ones you want to see, map out their routes, choose a spot you think will afford you the best view, and then wait till your procession goes by. Expect to be standing for long periods of time (10-12 hours in some cases).

 Allow extra time to get places. With the thousands of people flooding the city streets, a 2-block walk might take 40 minutes, not 12.

 And finally, don’t be afraid to ask a local for his opinion, using the local language if possible. Locals have the best knowledge of routes, the best places to view processions, and other nuggets of information that you might not think of.

Alfombras on the streets of Antigua

Semana Santa or “Holy Week”  has a completely different feel from the states, as people reflect on Christ´s death and celebrate his resurrection — no chocolate rabbits and colored eggs. There is a reenactment of trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and on good friday, Christ´s body (in a glass casket) is the center of many large processions.

Late into the night, families gather in the streets, enjoy seemingly tasty traditional treats from local vendors.  At midnight, streets continue packed with people, shoulder to shoulder. The crowds are not intimidating, as people are calm, respectful and somber

The most beautiful part of the festivities are the alfombras, or carpets, that are created in the streets. Groups spend hours carfully sifting sawdust through stencils to create patterns and figures. Everyone has a few hours to enjoy the finished product, then they are walked over and destroyed by the processionals.

They are amazing, although very temporary, works of art created out of colored sawdust, flowers, fruit, and pine needles. 

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. 

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