Mexico-Nayarit-Santa Teresa del Nayar
Holy Week, the donkey utilised by the centurions, the main traditional authorities of the Holy Week, is beated with violence in a symbolic revenge against the "Devils forces" that for days controlled the village. The "Judios" paints their bodies simbolysing the Evil forces and struggles in the streets looking for Jesus. Coras are a small indigenous people living scattered in the mountains of Sierra Madre Central in Mexican state of Nayarit. The Coras still follows their traditions, protecting in a very strong way their secret rites, that anthropologists believe the most interesting of Central America for their synchretism. The Holy Week, the most important religious event of the year, is characterized with impressive ceremonies. The catholic priest doesn’t partecipate and the Black Centurion is the captain of Judea, the “Jews”, the devil’s militia looking for Jesus Christ to kill him. Violence is a essential part of the ceremonies and somebody can be killed in the struggles with wood swords. Today Coras are asking for help from Mexican authorities because the survival of the Holy Week is in danger for dramatic changes in Cora traditional society due to the emigration and drug wars.
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