Baby jumping
Baby jumping (El Colacho) is a traditional Spanish holiday dating back to 1620 that takes place annually to celebrate the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi in Castrillo de Murcia, Sasamón, province of Burgos.[1][2]
Description
During the act, known as El Salto del Colacho (the devil's jump) or simply El Colacho, men dressed as the Devil (known as the Colacho) in red and yellow suits jump over babies born during the previous twelve months of the year who lie on mattresses in the street. The "devils" hold whips and oversized castanets as they jump over the infant children.
The Brotherhood of Santísimo Sacramento de Minerva organizes the week-long festivities which culminate on Sunday when the Colacho jumps over the babies on the mattresses placed on the procession route traversing the town.[3] The origins of the tradition are unknown but it is said to cleanse the babies of original sin, ensure them safe passage through life and guard against illness and evil spirits.[4][5][6] In recent years, Pope Benedict has asked Spanish priests to distance themselves from El Colacho, as the Church still teaches that it is only by the sacrament of a valid baptism that original sin can be cleansed.[7]
See also
References
- ^ "BBC NEWS - Europe - Spanish village holds baby jump". bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Odd Truth". cbsnews.com.
- ^ The Baby-Jumping Colacho Festival | Castrillo de Murcia, Spain | Whatsonwhen
- ^ "TRAV MAGS (washingtonpost.com)". washingtonpost.com.
- ^ "Week in Photos: Glacier Soccer, Baby Jumping, Mudslide, More". nationalgeographic.com.
- ^ "Baby Jumping Festival". spanish-fiestas.com.
- ^ "Disturbing images of dangerous and strange Spanish Catholic festival (PHOTOS)". Ibtimes.com. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
External links
