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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> Guatemala >> Carpet Procession (in Antigua, Guatemala) (March 2007) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Carpet Procession (in Antigua, Guatemala) (March 2007)

Antigua’s Semana Santa celebration is a unique event. Dazzling processions wind their way through Antigua’s streets during Lent and Easter Week in March and April. Thousands of people in Antigua and nearby towns contribute to the celebration. They begin their preparations for it a full year in advance. Townspeople make elaborate, beautiful carpets of dyed sawdust, flowers and vegetables over which the processions pass. The sight of these gorgeous carpets, the procession of followers (cucuruchos) wearing purple or black robes, the elaborate floats depicting scenes from the crucifixion of Christ against the backdrop of Antigua’s colonial architecture is a truly unforgettable experience. The processions pass over the carpets destroying them, making them works of ephemeral art. Understandably, people flock to Antigua during the Semana Santa celebration to experience this unusual event.
Carpet Procession cover page.
Carpet Procession cover page.		 Map of Guatemala with the star indicating Antigua.
Map of Guatemala with the star indicating Antigua.		 This carpet (alfombra) was being prepared in the morning for the upcoming procession that afternoon.
This carpet (alfombra) was being prepared in the morning for the upcoming "procession" that afternoon.		 Colored (dyed) sawdust is most commonly used to make the carpets.
Colored (dyed) sawdust is most commonly used to make the carpets.
Templates such as this are used to make the intricate designs.
Templates such as this are used to make the intricate designs.		 Wooden planks are used to enable people to work on the center of the carpets.
Wooden planks are used to enable people to work on the center of the carpets.		 This man was using a template to make the designs while on a plank.
This man was using a template to make the designs while on a plank.		 It takes a lot of fine detail work, such as this, to make the carpets.
It takes a lot of fine detail work, such as this, to make the carpets.
A long, vertical view of this carpet as it was being made.
A long, vertical view of this carpet as it was being made.		 This was the next carpet that was being made as I walked east down 4a Calle Oriente in Antigua.
This was the next carpet that was being made as I walked east down 4a Calle Oriente in Antigua.		 These men were using this long piece of wood to create the border of the carpet.
These men were using this long piece of wood to create the border of the carpet.		 Carpets (alfombras) are also made with flower petals and pine needles such as the one that these children were sitting on.
Carpets (alfombras) are also made with flower petals and pine needles such as the one that these children were sitting on.
These Guatemalan kids were really enjoying the festive atmosphere of the carpet making!
These Guatemalan kids were really enjoying the festive atmosphere of the carpet making!		 Further east on 4a Calle Oriente, this man was making a cross with pine needles.
Further east on 4a Calle Oriente, this man was making a cross with pine needles.		 Here is another carpet that was being made with pine needles.
Here is another carpet that was being made with pine needles.		 The carpets depict many religious symbols, such as Christ with his flock.
The carpets depict many religious symbols, such as Christ with his flock.
This carpet is made with pieces of bamboo and with what appears to be palm bark.
This carpet is made with pieces of bamboo and with what appears to be palm bark.		 The clouds in this carpet were made with cotton balls.
The clouds in this carpet were made with cotton balls.		 This couple was placing flowers around their design.
This couple was placing flowers around their design.		 Another colored sawdust design of a shepard (or possibly, Christ) holding a sheep.
Another colored sawdust design of a shepard (or possibly, Christ) holding a sheep.
As you can see, this carpet still had a long way to go before it was finished.
As you can see, this carpet still had a long way to go before it was finished.		 Adding to the festive atmosphere, there were many vendors that day, such as this boy selling toys.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, there were many vendors that day, such as this boy selling toys.		 The toys on sale were more colorful than most of the carpets were.
The toys on sale were more colorful than most of the carpets were.		 This woman was doing intricate work in the preparation of this carpet.
This woman was doing intricate work in the preparation of this carpet.
This carpet portrays a necklace with a cross.
This carpet portrays a necklace with a cross.		 This carpet struck me because of the brilliant colors of the dyed sawdust used.
This carpet struck me because of the brilliant colors of the dyed sawdust used.		 The designs were quite different and beautiful such as this abstract looking flower and sawdust one.
The designs were quite different and beautiful such as this abstract looking flower and sawdust one.		 This woman was working on a smaller carpet made of sawdust and flowers.
This woman was working on a smaller carpet made of sawdust and flowers.
She was carefully placing the flowers into position.
She was carefully placing the flowers into position.		 This woman was making a cross out of cotton balls. A lot of bending over is required.
This woman was making a cross out of cotton balls. A lot of bending over is required.		 Tourists and spectators (like myself) were out in force that day.
Tourists and spectators (like myself) were out in force that day.		 The pink flowers and petals stood out on the pine needles.
The pink flowers and petals stood out on the pine needles.
This carpet was one of the more modern designs that day.
This carpet was one of the more modern designs that day.		 Water is sprayed on the sawdust carpets to keep them from being blown by the wind.
Water is sprayed on the sawdust carpets to keep them from being blown by the wind.		 This design was pretty modern looking, too, and very colorful.
This design was pretty modern looking, too, and very colorful.		 This was a modern looking carpet in a round pin-wheel design.
This was a modern looking carpet in a round pin-wheel design.
That's me posing in front of the round carpet.
That's me posing in front of the round carpet.		 This was one of the more elaborate carpets that I saw on 4a Calle Oriente that day.
This was one of the more elaborate carpets that I saw on 4a Calle Oriente that day.		 A man on a scaffold with a lot more work to do.
A man on a scaffold with a lot more work to do.		 In addition to designs, some of the carpets had writing on them.
In addition to designs, some of the carpets had writing on them.
View looking down to the end of 4a Calle Oriente with more carpets ahead.
View looking down to the end of 4a Calle Oriente with more carpets ahead.		 It was starting to get more crowded as the time of the procession was getting nearer.
It was starting to get more crowded as the time of the procession was getting nearer.		 These Guatemalan kids were using cups to make shapes with sawdust.
These Guatemalan kids were using cups to make shapes with sawdust.		 This woman was walking down 4a Calle Oriente with an umbrella to protect herself from the bright sun that day.
This woman was walking down 4a Calle Oriente with an umbrella to protect herself from the bright sun that day.
This woman was balancing a basket on her head.
This woman was balancing a basket on her head.		 This woman had a load on her head with a table cloth.
This woman had a load on her head with a table cloth.		 As the time of the religious procession was getting nearer, a procession of vendors passed in front of me.
As the time of the religious procession was getting nearer, a procession of vendors passed in front of me.		 A religious necklace, anyone?
A religious necklace, anyone?
I bought an ice cream bar from this ice cream vendor.
I bought an ice cream bar from this ice cream vendor.		 Balloon vendor with helium balloons.
Balloon vendor with helium balloons.		 There were a lot of balloon vendors that day.
There were a lot of balloon vendors that day.		 More toys for sale that day.
More toys for sale that day.
The vendors were lined up along this building.
The vendors were lined up along this building.		 This vendor was selling colorful balls.
This vendor was selling colorful balls.		 This cotton candy vendor also passed by me.
This cotton candy vendor also passed by me.		 More stuff for sale.
More stuff for sale.
This vendor was looking at me but did not make a sale.
This vendor was looking at me but did not make a sale.		 These people in purple robes were getting ready for the procession.
These people in purple robes were getting ready for the procession.		 The religious processions are organized and carried out by brotherhoods (los hermandades) which are religious organizations.
The religious processions are organized and carried out by brotherhoods (los hermandades) which are religious organizations.		 Purple is the color of the robes worn by the carriers up to Good Friday, then the robes are black to signify mourning.
Purple is the color of the robes worn by the carriers up to Good Friday, then the robes are black to signify mourning.
These processioners with staffs were at the very front of the procession.
These processioners with staffs were at the very front of the procession.		 This lone processioner carried a drum.
This lone processioner carried a drum.		 More processioners at the front.
More processioners at the front.		 Since carriers of the main float are the first ones allowed to walk over the carpets, these processioners walked around them.
Since carriers of the main float are the first ones allowed to walk over the carpets, these processioners walked around them.
Processions generally begin with incense carriers and the brotherhood's banner, such as this one.
Processions generally begin with incense carriers and the brotherhood's banner, such as this one.		 Another brotherhood's banner.
Another brotherhood's banner.		 The procession was getting more crowded.
The procession was getting more crowded.		 The lead float was approaching. Note the smoke from burning incense.
The lead float was approaching. Note the smoke from burning incense.
Carriers of the lead float were the first to walk over the carpets.
Carriers of the lead float were the first to walk over the carpets.		 The incense smoke was overpowering!
The incense smoke was overpowering!		 The lead float was surrounded by Roman soldiers, as in the time of Christ.
The lead float was surrounded by Roman soldiers, as in the time of Christ.		 Close-up of the Roman soldiers.
Close-up of the Roman soldiers.
The floats, such as this one, depict religious scenes.
The floats, such as this one, depict religious scenes.		 This float depicts an angel and Christ carrying the cross.
This float depicts an angel and Christ carrying the cross.		 Close-up of the angel.
Close-up of the angel.		 Close-up of Christ carrying the cross.
Close-up of Christ carrying the cross.
Carriers will carry the float for a block and then a new group will take over.
Carriers will carry the float for a block and then a new group will take over.		 This is necessary since the floats can weigh as much as 7,000 pounds.
This is necessary since the floats can weigh as much as 7,000 pounds.		 The float went past me with Roman soldiers beside it.
The float went past me with Roman soldiers beside it.		 The float continued west on 4a Calle Oriente.
The float continued west on 4a Calle Oriente.
These horn players passed by between floats.
These horn players passed by between floats.		 This carpet was destroyed after the lead float had passed over it!
This carpet was destroyed after the lead float had passed over it!		 Another brotherhood banner on display between the floats.
Another brotherhood banner on display between the floats.		 A block behind the main float, women carry a smaller float with the figure of the Virgin Mary.
A block behind the main float, women carry a smaller float with the figure of the Virgin Mary.
Float with women carrying the Virgin Mary.
Float with women carrying the Virgin Mary.		 Close-up of the Virgin Mary.
Close-up of the Virgin Mary.		 Note that these women who were carrying the float were shrouded in black.
Note that these women who were carrying the float were shrouded in black.		 These young girls were float carriers.
These young girls were float carriers.
The Virgin Mary float passing me by.
The Virgin Mary float passing me by.		 Following behind was a float carrying the sculptures of San Juan and Mary Magdelena.
Following behind was a float carrying the sculptures of San Juan and Mary Magdelena.		 Close-up of Mary Magdelena.
Close-up of Mary Magdelena.		 These musicians were part of a funeral march.
These musicians were part of a funeral march.
This was the tail end of the procession followed by crowds and vendors.
This was the tail end of the procession followed by crowds and vendors.		 More crowds and balloon vendors at the end of the procession.
More crowds and balloon vendors at the end of the procession.		 This is what was left of this once beautiful carpet.
This is what was left of this once beautiful carpet.		 Another destroyed carpet after the procession!
Another destroyed carpet after the procession!
The cleanup crew stepped in to clean up the huge mess that remained of the carpets after the procession.
The cleanup crew stepped in to clean up the huge mess that remained of the carpets after the procession.		 They were sweeping up the sawdust.
They were sweeping up the sawdust.		 These flowers, palm bark and lettuce leaves symbolize the demise of the carpets after the procession.
These flowers, palm bark and lettuce leaves symbolize the demise of the carpets after the procession.

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