Holy Week Celebrations In Latin America And Spain (SLIDESHOW)

For Christians Holy Week is the week which precedes the Resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday. The week starts on On Palm Sunday, when devotees celebrate Christ's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem.

Christians around the world celebrate Holy Week to commemorate the Passion of Christ, through prayers and processions. Some followers perform religious penance as a form of worship and supplication.

In honor of Easter Sunday we've decided to highlight some of the most unexpected Holy Week celebration in Latin America and Spain. From dances honoring death to firecracker explosions in the name of Christ, here are some of the most unconventional Holy Week celebrations:

RATE IT!   |  

VOTE

CURRENT TOP 5 PICK YOUR OWN TOP 5

USERS WHO VOTED

NEW! CREATE YOUR OWN SLIDESHOW

Comments

[Edison Saldano]

02:11 AM on 04/10/2012

In Sweden during the summer time they burn cross's as well but it's means something else as well .

[Bianca Befana]

01:33 AM on 04/10/2012

Hey, I just hope their sins were worthy of their penance! Talk about guilt...guilt...guilt. But hey, if it makes them happy (somehow) then they should enjoy their experience! Peace...BB

[Trickery]

05:16 PM on 04/09/2012

This actually explains a lot :/

[Brogrammer]

04:17 PM on 04/09/2012

The sad part is that if this were to happen in America, they would be killed due to ignorance.

[Samearn]

11:21 AM on 04/09/2012

The tradition of wearing those pointy-hooded robes in Spain WAY pre-dates the KKK (like Medieval Times kind of pre-dates)..

Easter week was about penitence for one's sins and people could be penitent without having to reveal themselves that way.

Of note, the robes/hoods aren't always white - that just happens to be what is pictured.

[KIVPossum]

09:33 AM on 04/09/2012

Excellent work h.p. Your selection of the lead photo would make Nat'l Enquirer ashamed

[bettyboop68]

07:18 AM on 04/09/2012

Hmmm

[ActaNonVerbaNow]

03:16 AM on 04/09/2012

PARTY...PARTY...PARTY !!!

[LMPE]

10:53 PM on 04/08/2012

As expected, everyone already commented on the Nazarenos looking like the KKK.

The first time that I ever learned the word alfombra, I fought vat it foundv av if you're talking wiv no teef.

[Samearn]

11:25 AM on 04/09/2012

To be fair, that's the frame of reference most Americans have - I don't think you can judge them on it.

The first time I saw such a procession during Semana Santa in Spain, I couldn't help but think of the KKK - although, clearly, their actions are WAAAAAY different. (walking around in robes carrying giant Jesus or Mary floats around town for hours and hours is not really the KKK's M.O.)

[cuteliberalchick]

08:48 PM on 04/08/2012

Holy Week indeed.

[inthedesert]

07:43 PM on 04/08/2012

SO...were the celebrations "unexpected" or was Holy Week "unexpected"? HUFFPO...please explain that headline. But, I am so glad the KKK is active there.

[Samearn]

11:23 AM on 04/09/2012

Not the KKK (although it looks like it).

The tradition of the Spanish wearing those robes during Easter dates back to Medieval times - the KKK probably stole the idea from them.

[Royce09]

06:05 PM on 04/08/2012

KKK back in the 50;s used to be the moral police, if a white man beat his wife , they would drag him out and beat him. This was bad enough.

But, when they turned their mission into hating black people, they became doomed and it is too bad it too so long

[Gay Iberian]

02:02 PM on 04/08/2012

Ridiculous celebrations for masochists.

[tamazul]

01:48 PM on 04/08/2012

So THAT'S where the KKK got the idea of wearing 'hoods and sheets.' And I thought they were originals.