No, those are not the feared Ku Klux Klan walking around freely. They are penitents and they cover their faces so they can pray and suffer (barefoot in the hot concrete) in anonymity during Holy Week. The costume is fashioned after the penitents in Sevilla, Spain, where this tradition was copied. They also go from house to house collecting coins for the church. We call them 'tais-dupol' (pointed/blunt to describe the headcovering). Tais (pointed) penitents are unmarried men, 'dupol' (blunt) are married men. I don't know why the need for distinction :-)
1 comment:
i didnt know of this penitential tradition. it indeed looks like the kkk. when does it happen again. i might have the chance to see it.
Post a Comment