Venezuelans turn into 'Dancing Devils' for the Feast of Corpus Christi
On Thursday, hundreds of men, women and children went out to dance frantically as possessed by evil spirits in an ancient ritual known as Dancing Devils of Naiguata.
The feast of Corpus Christi, which was celebrated on Thursday, celebrates the real presence of Christ. The legend says that bread and wine turned into the body of Christ. While many countries across the World celebrate with a Holy Mass and a procession of
Across the coastal country, there are eleven groups or 'cofradias' which follow this tradition, which begins with the sound of the church bell. The residents dress up in devil costumes and kneel down on the streets to pray. (Photo | AP)
After the penance, the drum beats and dancing commence. The devils typically dance with their heads bowed, signifying good over evil, God over devils. (Photo | AP)
The Dancing Devils of Naiguata are significant because even the women are allowed to participate. IN PIC: A woman and a girl dressed as dancing devils, dance over the grave of a relative who used to be a dancing devil. (Photo | AP)
In Yare, the dancers wear red, as the colour is associated with the devil. But in Naiguata the folks wear multi-coloured clothes. The masks are usually of sea creatures and other mythological creatures. (Photo | AP)
The devils pray for a particular miracle to be granted, usually for the cure of an illness in the family. The dancing ends with a mass in the evening. IN PIC: A man dressed as dancing devil prays over the grave of a relative who used to be a dancing devil at a cemetery. (Photo | AP)
The festival was born during the 18th century, when Catholic church representatives, danced on the streets to propagate Christianity, including African slaves in the procession. (Photo | AP)
