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 Nowhere on this hemisphere is Holy Week observed with any more reverence and devotion than in Guatemala. The pleasant aroma of the “corozo” mixed with that of the sawdust; the intense smell of incense and the somber funeral music are all characteristics related to Lent. The graphic representation of the passion and death of Our Lord will make each of us reflect on our own life and will help us to establish priorities and intensify our Christian faith.
From the start of Lent, platforms transporting the traditional icons will depart each church on their journey through the neighborhoods. Each setting is created –beginning six months prior- and decorated in elegant and solemn ways and depicts the various phases of the last week of Christ’s life. From the triumphal entrance on Palm Sunday, to the Burial to Easter Sunday, the schedule will be saturated with processions that take place throughout the city. This tradition was introduced by the Spaniards during the colony days when our countries were part of the kingdom of Spain, and have perpetuated through the centuries. The size and weight of each set will vary depending on the image which it carries. The Christ of The Holy Interment of Santo Domingo’s church is one of the biggest and requires at least 140 carrying arms. At the completion of one block, the bearers will change, thus at each corner the next group of bearers will be ready waiting. It is impressive to observe the scores of believers wearing robes specially tailored for this solemnity. The “cucuruchos” will take turns carrying these platforms, and even more amazing is the way each procession is organized. The process requires many months of preparation, communication and absolute cooperation. Some chosen devotees are assigned “honor turns” and their task would be to initially lift the stage at the church to take into the streets. These honor turns are passed from fathers to sons and from generation to generation. Some of these processions could take up to 17 hours to complete. The families that live on the streets where the processions will go prepare in front of their houses, the traditional rugs for the bearers of the images to walk on. The ritual of preparing these tapestries derives from a combined cultural heritage of the natives as well as the Spaniards. The Mayan priests during certain ceremonies were accustomed to walk on flowers, pine needles or bird’s feathers. In the Canaries Isles, rugs of sand and flowers are made on special celebrations and the arrival of The Saint Pedro de Betancourt –born in Tenerife- to Guatemala, firmly established this tradition. Utilizing stencils and filling them with sawdust, previously dyed in various colors, petals, pine needles or “corozo” stems, will shape the rugs. These provide pleasant visual designs that harmoniously combine the colors on the rainbow’s palette and are an exclusive part of the Hispanic heritage and tradition. During Holy Week, all companies, factories and enterprises will remain closed and all business operations will cease. Entire cities will become deserted and desolated. Half of the population can be found watching or being part of the religious festivities, while the other half of the population take to the oceans, lakes, resorts, or plan outdoor activities with their families to take advantage and enjoy the holidays.
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