Semana Santa: The anatomy of a procession

There are multiple parts to a Semana Santa procession in Antigua.  I am going to try to lead you through it via photos.

Gather supplies for the Alfombra

(Assorted flowers)

(bags and bowls of colored sawdust. Some of the sawdust is bought colored and other color their own. When coloring your own sawdust, you must allow about 36 hours for the preparation because you have to set it out in the sun to dry after coloring.)

(Top: leaning against the curb is a sifter. A stencil lies on the road by the mans feet. The white piece in the bottom, center is to level the sawdust. To the far left a hand holds a water sprayer to keep the sawdust moist after it is stenciled so it doesn’t blow in the wind. A plank lies across a concrete block ready to place across the base of the alfombra to allow designers to sit/lie on it to work on the design.)

Begin Alfombra Assembly (See more in the post: Preparations)

Admire your work. Quickly, it won’t last long!

The Procession Begins

(Incense carriers and Cucuruchos precede the Anda. I’m unsure of the significance of the incense but maybe one of my Catholic friends could enlighten me?)

(Here they come)

(Note the Alfombra)

(The band follows)

(The Alfombra….after. What took many hours to create is turned into a pile of rubbish in mere minutes.)

The Clean-up Crew

Almost a part of the procession, the clean-up crew follows the procession closely behind. Many of the observers will dash out and grab a flower, or a token from the destroyed alfombra before it’s swept away forever.

Are you ready for next year?

If you liked this, you might also enjoy:

Windows and Doors in Antigua Guatemala: A Photo Essay

“Semana Santa Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala”

Cucuruchos y las Dolorosas