Guatemala – Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

By April 1, 2011 Guatemala No Comments

Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

“The Holy week in Antigua Guatemala is famous for its Catholic celebration, which commemorates the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The entire city participates in the event, and receives thousands of national and international visitors.”
– aroundantigua.com

We just so happened to be in Antigua at the time of this event. The main roads were closed off so people could build/design their sawdust carpets. And people all over adorned purple cloaks and robes. After the event kicked off, it seemed every road you turned down, there was another procession. It almost made it difficult to make our way through the city at times.

Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

The procession starts out with a roman horn and drum ensemble.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

They take their time and play a few times as they wait for the procession to get lined up behind them.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

A few candle and cross bearing children follow behind the horns as the sides of the streets start to fill with purple cloaked individuals.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

There is quite a bit of stopping and posing.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

Along the procession route there are small stages of the cross. This one had a photo and flowers on the ground.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

Thurible’s are used to spread incense before the large floats “andas” make their way through.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

A dramatic shot of a thurible swinging my way.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

Next to line the streets are the Roman Soldiers.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

This man is the “driver” of the float.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

I’m not sure how many people are helping carry this float. But it not only moves forward, but swings from side to side. The man in the front helps control the distance of the swing and when to stop or move forward.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

The first float highlights Christ bearing the cross.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

No one is allowed to smile. Especially not the driver.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

I am assuming that the two inner rows are being held by adults to help the load on the children on the sides.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

Roman soldiers make sure the kids dont smile. Or else they poke them with their little wooden swords. Hah, kidding, I hope.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

After Christ comes Virgin Mary. This float is held by women wearing black. Or in this case, sporty gray suits.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

One of my favorite shots of the thurible. Also, you can see this float in full tilt.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

The driver leans back to slow the roll of the float.

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Religious Procession, Semana Santa, Antigua

After these two floats there were some bands and other people trailing. We ended up having to run around town so that was all I was able to get of the procession.

In addition to the processions, most of the streets were lined with hand crafted sawdust and pine needle carpets for the procession to walk across. This particular procession did not cross over said carpets when I was photographing them. But I would imagine it would have been quite awesome.

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