Emerging from the shadowed entrance of the Priory Church in El Puerto de Santa Maria a procession begins its slow and somber way through the town. It’s Semana Santa, Holy Week, the week before Easter in Spain.
As she emerges into the evening light, and softly lit by candles, Santa Maria is still shadowed by her canopy.
The ‘engine’ of the float is man power, four across . . . .
. . . . . and six deep . . . . .
carrying what may weigh up to the weight of a small car in close quarters and shadowed for the whole of the procession:
An hour later shadowy figures proceed before the still shadowed saint.
For me, the whole event was overshadowed by the eerie similarity of the religious brotherhood’s garb to the Klu Klux Klan. The brotherhoods or fraternities – members of the parish who dedicate themselves to the Semana Santa processions – began establishing themselves centuries ago and have no association with the Klu Klux Klan, but it is said that the Klan took their idea of the robe and hood from seeing the effect it had on crowds at the processions.
Which Way Now 101 
Enjoyed reading your post and seeing the pictures. Reminded me of my time in Sevilla when I first saw the Semana Santa processions. Felt a bit strange to me as well as I couldn’t help making the same comparison as you did – even though there is no association between the two.
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Semana Santa must have really been something in Sevilla. How long ago were you there?
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Yes it quite a thing to watch there, all the streets were packed! I lived there for 3 months, but it is more than 10 years ago now. Time flies!
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I love the pictures!
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Thank you! Kind of spooky for a religious procession aren’t they?
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I remember these processions from my childhood when I lived in Spain and also visiting the Canary islands. I thought it was all so theatrical!! Love it! But yes, a bit spooky too!
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Spooky for me having grown up in America. Too reminiscent of the Klu Klux Klan. Where did you live in Spain?
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Yeah I completely agree with you and the other comments — when I first clicked into this post I was shocked and thought you had visited a KKK march or something! Glad to read on that it wasn’t, but yeah, it was hard not to think about that while reading, and I can imagine it would overshadow the event for you.
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I hadn’t realised I would shock so many people with these pictures. I might have thought twice about posting them. It was purely a religious procession and safe family event. Glad you read on. I wonder now if others didn’t.
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Great photos and interesting info – didn’t know anything about this or about the link to KKK costumes – thanks!
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When I saw the first photo I nearly left the post… glad to see at the end that there is no connection to the KKK …. had me worried for a mo…
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Glad you read on. It was a strange experience. These processions happened throughout the week. The other brotherhoods wore different colours. The whole thing became marginally less disturbing as the week went on.
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wow- rich cultural/history photo!!
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Thank you. It was exciting to be in amongst it all.
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but I also agree that it was a little tense to feel the KKK similarities – but the engine (feet) was nice humor too – ha!
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OK I wasn’t going to say anything, but since you brought it up…Oh My Gosh it looks exactly like the KKK. A bit spooky. But you did a good job capturing it all…as always 🙂
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Thanks Judy. The atmosphere was an odd mix of spooky, solemn and party. 😐
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How eerie, for sure, Carol! Before I read your narrative about the last photo, that was immediate reaction when I looked at it. Tough to not have negative feelings watching the men in white robes with their pointy hoods.
Interesting way to move the float! I wouldn’t want to be in the middle!!
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I wouldn’t have wanted to be under there at all! I guess the macho young guys carry the floats and the old geysers wear the pointy hats. I’d stick with the women who mind the children and gossip.
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Nice job! You’ve captured so many places – what a treasure trove. I found it interesting too that the ladies in your first frame were so busy talking they weren’t even looking at the spectacle.
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They’d seen it all before Barb. Many times. It doesn’t really come across in the photos but there was almost a carnival atmosphere. Thanks for the compliment. Have you tried the photo challenge? You have plenty of brilliant pics to chose from!
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I keep thinking I’ll do it, but keeping myself in front of the computer is my problem. I’ve had a few that matched the prompts, but didn’t get them posted in time. One of these days I will.
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A really interesting interpretation of the theme ‘shadowed’. I’m impressed you thought to take photos of the feet carrying the float. It wouldn’t occur to me to do that but really adds to the storytelling 🙂
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You might have thought of it if you’d been there. Even with all those men they could only shuffle. They were staggering under the weight. It was very impressive and the feet caught my eye. Quite a feat! Ha.
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I agree with you about the white robes and hoods. I thought the same thing as you before I even read. Creepy. Too bad the KKK took something that originally stood for something good and made it a symbol of BAD.
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I agree Ann. Thank goodness there were children and teenagers there enjoying themselves. It took the edge off the atmosphere.
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How very interesting to hear that the KKK might have modeled their costumes after this. A very good take on the photo challenge!
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It was a solemn religious occasion but I found it a little creepy.
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Most unusual captures, Carol.
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Thanks Sylvia. It was quite a culture shock being there.
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The pictures are just gorgeous.
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Thank you and thanks for stopping by. Good luck with your new blog!
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