IES CAURA

HERITAGE OF THE PAST – FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

“Heritage of the past. Foundation for the future” Page 1

2. COSTUMES AND TRADITIONSWithout doubt the climax of religious life in Andalusia is Holy Week,"SemanaSanta".The festive processions begin on Palm Sunday and end on the following Easter Sunday. Dozens of brotherhoods, each of them with several hundred members,

the so-called ‘Nazarenos’walk on a specific route through the cities.

Of significant attraction are the ‘pasos’,representations of the Lord and the Virgin Maria, placed on heavy wooden frames.

Between 36 or 48 (mostly younger) men, carry them for hours: the so-called "Costaleros". Music corps accompany the ‘pasos’, from the balconies sound the "Saetas", solo vocal performances. The most important Holy Week celebrations in Andalusia are held in Seville, Granada and Málaga. In the villages this tradition lives on as well.

In May you can see the May Crosses, "Cruces de Mayo", a mixture from of secular and Christian customs (particularly in Córdoba).Of importance are also the colourful processions on Corpus Christi (particularly in Granada).

The pilgrimages, which have also a long tradition in Andalusia, are of more folkloristic and festive character. Nevertheless their religious roots still show. The biggest "Romería" of the Christianity takes place annually at Whitsuntide in the small village of El Rocio (province Huelva). Almost one million people visit the chapel at the edge of the protected Doñana Natural Park, many of them come by foot, with horse carriages or on horseback. Also famous are the "Romería de la Virgen de la Cabeza" (end of April near Andújar - Jaén) and the " Romería de la Virgen del Mar" (January – Almería).

The festivals of Andalusia are legendary. The fair calendar begins with the procession of the Three Kings of Orient on the evening of January 5th and is a special highlight for all children.

The Carnival is celebrated above all in the province of Cádiz and there particularly in the capital.

Between end of March and November numerous “Ferias" are celebrated all over Andalusia. Originally derived from regional cattle markets, they are today colourful, folkloristic celebrations, where the visitors eat, drink, dance and sing all night long.Famous Ferias:April Fair (Seville) 2 weeks after EasterMayHorseFair (Jerez de la Frontera) 2 weeks in MayMay Fair (Córdoba) At the end of MayManzanilla Fair (Sanlúcar de Barrameda) At the end of MayAugust Fair (Málaga) 3rd week in AugustPedro Romero Fair (Ronda)"Fiestas Goyescas"

At the beginning of Septembers

In May the city of Córdoba celebrates the Patio Contest Festival, a competition for the most beautiful patio (inside yard). In many villages is celebrated at the end of June the night of St. John ("noche de San Juan"). Numerous villages celebrate the day(s) of its patron saint(s).

The wine harvest is another good reason to celebrate a "fiesta".