A One of a Kind Easter Celebration

A hooded man with a whip may not seem very much like Easter, but in many places in the historical Latin American and Spanish worlds, it was.  The time before Easter was a penitential time in which people attempted to purge themselves of their sins to ready themselves for the joy of Christ's resurrection on Easter Day.  Flagellation, self-whipping to cause pain, was one way. 

A completely unique twist on this ancient practice is still found in Nandaime Nicaragua on the Wednesday before Easter.  I had the privilege of viewing (and, unanticipatedly, feeling) his event first-hand. Here is this link to the article.

https://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.com/2016/04/taking-hit-holy-wednesday-in-nandaime.html

The Flagellants of Holy Week: Nandaime, Nicaragua

Medieval Flagellants

In Medieval Spain, as elsewhere, self-flagellation during the period of Lent and Holy Week was a fairly common self-purification practice.  The idea was to drive sin from the body through beating it.  This is still practiced in places, but one of the most interesting variants is found in a little Nicaraguan town called Nandaime on Wednesday of Semana Santa (Holy Week).  Here, the custom is stood on its head with procession participants using their whips and sticks to beat onlookers in a very structured, reasonably safe half-hour event.  

A video I shot on-location in Nandaime a few years ago, shows this unique interpretation of Medieval customs. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2K-8g2M54A&t=2s

Video of Holy Wednesday in Nandaime, Nicaragua

Holy Wednesday, Nandaime Nicaragua

                                   

Holy Wednesday, Nandaime, Nicaragua

On Wednesday of Holy Week in Nandaime, a small town outside of Granada Nicaragua, an ancient Lenten penitential ritual is, more or less, stood on its head and turned into a half-hour of fun, controlled chaos.  It begins and ends with the sounding of church bells and despite appearances, is a religious event. Experience this lively and fascinating celebration in my video:  https://youtu.be/w2K-8g2M54A