Baby Jumping Festival or “El Colacho” is the most puzzling event. It takes place each year in a small town of Castrillo de Murcia of Spain. This festival is a part of the catholic celebrations for Corpus Christi. The festival aims to purify the new-borns souls and to protect them from future sins.
The history of El Colacho:
via – suspanish
El Colacho festival is a traditional Spanish holiday. No concrete origin for the bizarre ritual exists but it dates back to 1620. The catholic brotherhood of the Sacred Sacrament of Minerva has been responsible to arrange the week-long commemorations. that take place to mark the Corpus Christi feast. Whose members assume the two major roles related to the festival are the ‘’El Colacho’’ and ‘’El Atabalero’’.
El Colacho: a man dressed in a yellow, red and green suit represents the Devil. Jump over babies born during the preceding twelve months of the year who lie on mattresses in the street. He holds an oversized castanet and a lash made of horse´s or cow´s tail as he jumps over the infant children.
via – mendikat
El Atabalero: the drummer wears a black suit and a sombrero. He presides over the Santísimo procession which goes into the town with his large drum.
The Brotherhood of Santísimo Sacramento organizes the week-long festivities that takes place on Sunday. When the Colacho jumps over the babies on the mattresses placed on the parade route pass over the town.
Jumping over babies:
The major events of these Corpus celebrations are the Baby Jumping and the Runs of the Colacho. During the festival, the ‘’El Colacho’’ emerges accompanied by the “Atabalero” (drummer). Also some members of the brotherhood of Santísimo Sacramento de Minerva, guide the festival. Besides, They parade through the streets of the village. While the Colacho pursues and whips with his tail to anyone who offends or makes fun of him.
via – nationalgeographic
The El Colacho tradition is when the time comes for the “salto” or jump. All babies born within the year in the town are presented on a mattress on the floor outside their house. Then comes the moment when the Colacho representing the devil jumps over the infants as onlookers cheer him on.
via – insider
This bizarre act aimed to cleanse the new-borns of their original sin. After the Colacho has jumped over the babies. They get showered in rose petals and often blessed by the local priest.
via – thelocal
The El Colacho festival organizes plenty of activities around the town. Usually arranges in one of three places: the town square, the church, or the main looping circular promenade. Besides, the festival goers should be prepared. The first activity, called “run”. when El Colacho, a drummer and a group of undertakers saunter through town as the devil tries to whip those on the route.
Once the Baby Jumping has been completed, everyone goes around the wine cellars. The party continues with folklore and typical products such as cheese and wine.
In brief, the festival is an international tradition. Included babies from all over the world came to take part in the ‘’El Colacho’’ festival. Believing in the devil absorbs the sins of the babies. And protect them from diseases and misfortune.
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