Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Easter in Hispanic World and Beyond: Faith, Tradition, and Cultural Heritage

From Processions to Passion Plays: Easter’s Diverse Expressions


"Holy Week" or Easter is one of the most important Catholic celebrations around the world. During this week, the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, the most significant figure for Christians, are commemorated.

One of the most fascinating aspects of this religious celebration is the processions. In many Catholic countries around the world, such as Spain, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Colombia, processions take place in the streets with religious images. These parades are organized by confraternities or brotherhoods - groups of devoted individuals committed to their faith - who also take part in the procession and are responsible for carrying the religious flats on their shoulders.

It is worth mentioning that each brotherhood has its own attire and symbols, such as habits, crosses, medals, lanterns, and navetas for holding incense to purify the air. Also, penitents wear robes called "capirotes" to conceal their identifies, highlighting their devotion to penance and emphasizing the religious event over personal recognition. 

 

In countries with a strong Catholic tradition, Easter is still celebrated with great devotion. In Spain, the processions are particularly intense in Andalusia. This solemnity takes place in many cities and towns, with each region having its own traditions and rituals. In Medina del Campo, processions date back to 1411 when they were established by Saint Vincent Ferrer.

In 2015, the Spanish government declared Holy Week in Zamora a Cultural Heritage of Interest. Furthermore, the celebration has been included by UNESCO as a candidate for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The night-time processions feature Gregorian chants that evoke spiritual reflection.

Another place in Spain where Easter is celebrated with great fervour is Avila, where it has been declared of “International Tourist Interest.” In the south of the country, in Malaga and Seville, the brotherhood members parade through the streets, and the processions attract a large number of visitors who travel from various places, especially to witness the Way of the Cross.


In Colombia, Easter is widely celebrated throughout the country. Popayán, a beautiful colonial city in the southwest, has a deeply artistic tradition that dates back to the colonial era, with celebrations beginning in 1556. Here, preparations for the processions last all year, and they follow a route of about two kilometres through the city centre.

The wooden images seen in the processions were crafted in the late XVII century. These processions are a popular religious expression that combines devotion, art, and culture, accompanied by religious ornaments. Due to their authenticity and solemnity, in 2009, UNESCO declared the city’s processions an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In Argentina, this celebration has deep cultural roots. In the town of Puerto Madryn, in the southeast of the country, the traditional underwater Way of the Cross takes place. Eight professional divers carry a cross over four metres high and submerge alongside a priest, covering a 500-metre route underwater. Additionally, in the provinces of Salta and Tucumán, the main streets are adorned with traditional shrines made from local fruits, leaves, and seeds.

Beyond the processions, Chile and Venezuela share the tradition of burning Judas; a four-meter-tall effigy made with old clothes. To enhance spirituality, people write down their sins and place the list inside the effigy so that their faults may be symbolically erased.

In Bolivia, on Good Friday, the Procession of the Holy Sepulchre takes place. Religious images are venerated, and a unique tradition involves playful pranks, including small-scale thefts.

In Peru, churches fill with the faithful attending Palm Sunday Mass. Celebrations vary by city. For instance, in Lima, on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, it is customary for worshippers to visit seven churches. In Cusco, on Good Friday, in commemoration of the Last Supper, people traditionally fast until noon.

Another South American country where Easter is fervently celebrated is Ecuador. In Quito, processions pass through the colonial centre, with some devout participation walking barefoot and carrying wooden crosses.

Easter traditions are also deeply rooted in Central American countries. In Guatemala, it is the nation’s larges celebration. The processions transform the cities with traditional carpets made from sawdust, flowers, and other natural materials, which decorate the streets for the passage of religious images, honouring the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In 2008, UNESCO declared Guatemala’s Holy Week processions as Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation.

 

In Honduras, cities like San Pedro Sula host colourful yet solemn processions that make their way through the streets. Meanwhile, in San José, the capital of Costa Rica, the season is marked by religious solemnity and reflection, with varios processions, masses, and activities that highlight Christian faith.

In Mexico, where over 75% of the population is Catholic, Easter holds great significance. In Iztapalapa, the annual reenactment of Christ’s Passion is a major cultural event that preserves the community’s cultural identity. This tradition has been officially registered in Mexico’s Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Caribbean countries also celebrate Easter with deep devotion and tradition. In the Dominican Republic, churches hold masses and processions, the blessing of the palm branches, and theatrical reenactments of Christ’s Passion in various locations.

However, Easter is not only reach in religious traditions- it is also a time of culinary significance. For Christians, this period is a time of celebration, and food plays a key role. In Spain and several other countries, people enjoy torrijas, a traditional sweet made during this season. Fish consumption is also common, prepared in soups and other regional variations. For example, in the Peruvian Amazon, people eat patarashca, a dish in which river fish is wrapped in local leaves like bijao and sachaculantro before being cooked.

In Paraguay, during Easter, people eat chipas, a type of small bread made from ground corn, Paraguayan cheese, milk, pork fat, and anise, shaped in different forms.


Uruguay is the only Latin American country where the secular society does not officially celebrate Easter. Since 1919, this period has been called Tourism Week, during which various cultural and social events such as concerts, exhibitions, fairs, and sports competitions are organized.

We cannot talk about Easter without mentioning the Philippines, where some Catholics engage in acts of self-flagellation and even crucifixion as expressions of their devotions. Although these practices are carried out by certain believers as form of penance, the Catholic Church does not endorse them.

In Europe and The United Stated, Easter traditions include Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny. In ancient culture, the rabbit was a symbol of fertility and reproduction, while the egg represented new life and the cycle of nature. With the arrival of Christianity, Easter became a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the egg came to symbolize new life and hope. It is worth noting that in Hispanic countries, this is not a central tradition.

Finally, any discussion of Easter must include Italy, where the celebration is one of the most significant religious events. On Good Friday, various cities and towns hold the traditional Via Crucis, reenacting the final moment and crucifixion of Jesus. As in the Hispanic world, solemn processions feature participants carrying wooden crosses along a designated route. Additionally, during street parades, some participants cover their faces with hoods. The most famous procession is the one let by the Pope in Rome, which is televised for Catholic faithful around the world.


For the Catholic Church, the true symbol of Easer is the Paschal candle, a large white candle that represents the resurrection of Jesus. It is inscribed with the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet, signifying that Jesus is the beginning and the end.

To conclude, the various festivals, including religious ones, are a beautiful way to preserve culture for future generations. Beyond expressing religious faith, they showcase tradition, history, and remarkable artistry, making them an essential part of cultural heritage worldwide. To listen to my song explaining what is Easter, click here. 

Biblography


By Isabel O'Donoghue at 1 comment:
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