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Ann Murdy | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> La Semana Santa in Antigua, Guatemala tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

La Semana Santa in Antigua, Guatemala

The beautiful city of Antigua, Guatemala is famous for it's celebration of La Semana Santa (Holy Week). It is the second most popular tourist destination to observe Holy Week outside of Spain. The population of 30,000 increases to up to 300,000 during this time of year. Holy Week begins on Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) and concludes on Easter Sunday. Processional floats (andas) weighing up to 7,000 pounds are carried through cobblestone streets by cucuruchos. These men move the andas over alfrombras (carpets) which are made of colored sand, fruits, vegetables, pine needles and flowers from the season. Following the men are the women carriers known as hermanas cargadoras carrying andas with the Virgin Mary. Children participate in their own processions as well. They process mini-andas in the streets on Saturday whereas the adult processions are on Sunday. After three o'clock on Good Friday the cucuruchos robes change from purple to black. Throughout Semana Santa mournful dirges are played with all of the processions. It is truly a sight to behold!
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Palm Sunday in Santa Maria de Jesus
Palm Sunday in Santa Maria de Jesus		 Women in Santa Maria de Jesus
Women in Santa Maria de Jesus		 Roman soldier and cucuruchos
Roman soldier and cucuruchos		 Girl in pink
Girl in pink
Carrying anda
Carrying anda		 Lead carrier from La Merced
Lead carrier from La Merced		 Walking onto carpet
Walking onto carpet		 Holding hands along route
Holding hands along route
Head downward
Head downward		 La Mujer con los hombres
La Mujer con los hombres		 Procession
Procession		 A heavy load
A heavy load
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William Barletta30-May-2009 19:18
Absolutely superb photography. I love your treatment of light and color.
Barbara Mauldin 10-May-2008 14:25
Hi Ann:

Thank you for sending the link to your photos. They are fabulous!!! Beautiful!! You have rally captured Semana Santa in Antigua.

Barbara
Sheila Rose 24-Apr-2008 01:54
Ann,
The photo's are wonderful as everyone has said. I love the children,they have such beautiful and innocent faces. I too learned about the Alfronda's and would love some stencils to do on my fences....Thank you for sharing
Sheila
Chip Conway 19-Apr-2008 14:23
Hello, Ann. Thank you for the opportunity of seeing the very colorful celebration. Enjoyed the purple kids and the photos of the alfrondas. Like a travelog, your photos transport me to the place in the time. Thank you. Cchip
Guest 06-Apr-2008 22:38
aS ALWAYS, I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY. I SERIOUSLY THINK YOU SHOULD SUBMIT THEM TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC And applyfor a photo job.
xox
goldie
Guest 06-Apr-2008 13:46
Oh my, I didn't know anything about the alfronda's. They are all so beautiful. You did such a good job as always. Thank you bobbie
Tom Aageson 05-Apr-2008 21:39
Ann...once again you captured the heart and soul of Holy Week in Guatemala. The sense of color, composition and spirit is uplifting. It sounds like you had a challenging time yet the photos look perfect. Mil gracias.

Tom
Eleni Cahn 05-Apr-2008 19:41
Ann, the alfronda's are amazing! I didn't know that they used stencils. I would love to have a set to stencil walls, wouldn't you?
We are leaving Tues for the West Coast and will be gone a month. We are visiting Stephan and family in Seattle and camping slowly along the coast to San Francisco to visit Robin and Shane. Will return around May 12 and will be in touch.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful work.
Leni
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