Babies spirits cleansed in Murcia, Spain
A Spanish man dressed in a “devil” costume has cleansed the spirits of babies in the small town of Castrill de Murcia, new Bilbao. This is an age old tradition, involves the “devil” leaping over the newborns.
Over 200 people participate in the yearly El Colacho festival which represents the eternal fight between good and evil.
The “devil” jumping over the babies is believed to put the infants on a good path, therefore opening their entrance to heaven.
This ritual dates back to 1621 and involves parents putting their babies on a mat in the central square.
A man, dressed in yellow and red, represents the devil and hurdles over the children while another Spaniard, adorned in Black, marches around the town square banging a drum.
There have been no reported injuries to any baby during the history of the ceremony.
Date posted: 11 June 2012
