EL SALVADOR: PEOPLE DRESSED AS DEMONS REPRESENT JESUS FIGHT AGAINST EVIL IN HOLY WEEK CELEBRATIONS

Record ID: 862289

  • Title: EL SALVADOR: PEOPLE DRESSED AS DEMONS REPRESENT JESUS FIGHT AGAINST EVIL IN HOLY WEEK CELEBRATIONS
  • Date: 7th April 2004
  • Summary: (L!3) TEXISTEPEQUE, EL SALVADOR (APRIL 5, 2004)(REUTERS-ACCESS ALL) PINK CLOTHED DEMONS RUNNING FROM CHURCH AS CHURCH BELLS SOUND DEMONS FLOGGING LOCAL MEN (5 SHOTS) (SOUNDBITE)(Spanish) JUAN JOSE GOMEZ SAYING: "This is traditionally the representation of the battle of good and evil. The ceremony represents Jesus being tempted by evil and the efforts he goes to in order to overcome." JESUS WALKING THROUGH THE TOWN JESUS CONFRONTING THE DEVIL AND DEFEATING HIM (2 SHOTS) (SOUNDBITE)(Spanish) ANA LUZ HERNANDEZ SAYING: "It's fantastic. You have no idea the impact this has for us. It is really wonderful because this tradition is passed down through the generations from one to the next." DEMONS FLOGGING YOUNG PEOPLE (2 SHOTS) MARKS ON BACK OF YOUNG MAN WHO HAS BEEN FLOGGED BY DEMON JESUS WALKING OVER DEMONS LAYING ON THE GROUND
  • Embargoed: 22nd April 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: TEXISTEPEQUE AND CHALCHUAPA, EL SALVADOR
  • City:
  • Country: El Salvador
  • Topics: Quirky,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA9II399ENMPSWKKAYCPF0PKV92
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Thousands of Salvadoran Catholics celebrate Holy Week with unique traditions inspired by Biblical stories.
    Thousands of Catholic Salvadorans celebrated Holy Week on Monday (April 5) with unique traditions inspired by Biblical stories marking the Easter season.
    In Texistepeque, actors dressed as demons swarmed the streets lashing out at passers-by with small whips. Each lash takes a sin away, according to the participants.
    The street play took place amid crowds of onlookers, commemorating Jesus Christ's battle against the demons as he defeated Satan's temptations in the desert.
    "This is traditionally the representation of the battle of good and evil. The ceremony represents Jesus being tempted by evil and the efforts he goes to in order to overcome," said Juan Jose Gomez.
    Despite the apparent violence involved, the townspeople enjoy participating each year.
    "It's fantastic. You have no idea the impact this has for us. It is really wonderful because this tradition is passed down through the generations from one to the next," said Ana Luz Hernandez.
    Following the ceremony, the residents return to church where they continue to pray.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register