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Sunday July 27, 2014
My buddy Ed and I snuck out of town to the following event advertised on GringoTree:
Battle Of Moors And Cristianos
In Gualaceo
A reenactment of the war between Moors and Christians will take
place on Sunday, July 27. This event illustrates the deep devotion that
Gualacenos have to the Apostle James, or “Patron Santiago” as they called him.
This annual event has gotten larger through the years and it’s now part
of the local culture.
The staged battle between Moors and Christians represents the
forces of good and evil, in the context of the conquest of Christian faith
against the pagan world, and one of their dance expressions this year will
include more than 130 participants.
The event will begin after midday on Sunday with folk dances and processions from
the church to the stadium (Estadio Belen). It is estimated that more than 3000
people will attend. This is a great opportunity to see the exhibitions, taste
Gualacenos delicious food and admire their souvenirs.
Surprisingly, we only saw only one other Gringo couple during the whole day so we were kinda shocked at that! We left early to catch the bus home but hopefully saw most of the event.
NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.
Hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day's excitement, Cheers, Al
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| Mass was being celebrated when we arrived in Gualaceo |
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| The church and main park are very pretty |
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| The town square had many booths selling all kinds of things |
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| I love these dolls! |
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| These too! Very expressive art. |
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| Lots of folks going in and out of church |
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| Many paying respect to Patron Santiago |
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| It is quite lovely inside the church |
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| ...and the outside isn't so bad either! |
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| Then the horses started to be brought in. |
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| This chartreuse mare was eye-catching! |
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| Then the actors got into their costumes |
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| Not bad work for a small town |
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| Even the children get involved |
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| Johnny Reb said he was supplying polo ponies. Polo?? |
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| Those are aluminum swords so nobody got too close to this action |
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| The kids enjoy it though |
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| They got to pose for a lot of people |
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| These guys were scary and realistic |
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| The clang of the swords could be heard for blocks I'm sure. |
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| Christians and Moors dressing together |
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| This was the Moor's "champion" |
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| That Christian is keeping the wrong company... |
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| Everybody is waiting for the procession to begin |
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| Even the dog got into acting dead!! |
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| The Christian ladies arrive. |
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| They get sit on a float |
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| The polo ponies get mounted by both sides. |
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| The Moors line up for the procession |
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| I think he is the Catholic Bishop? |
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| The procession is led by these colourful dancers. |
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| Then the Christians come by. |
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| A short squall turns shields into umbrellas.. |
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| Now it is the Moors turn |
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| A Moor Princess?? |
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| Loved this shot, had to get rid of messy background.. |
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| Now the Christian ladies come past us |
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| Very stylish indeed. |
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| The kids are so cute |
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| A smile from the princess |
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| Hmmm, nope, this guy is the Bishop.... |
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| Hmmm, what is Xena doing here?? |
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| Now Johnny Reb has turned Christian. |
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| OK, I have no idea what he represents.. |
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| Boys will be boys to get a view |
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| Maybe not 3,000 people yet, but filling up fast |
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| This bunch is way across the field |
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| Our colourful girls dance around a maypole |
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| I bought tickets to help cancer patients |
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| Now the Moors strut their stuff |
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| The princess criss-crossed the field all afternoon |
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| The Moor ladies and foot soldiers |
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| Princess was always in evidence |
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| The ponies were beautiful and well-behaved. |
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| Everyone kept getting in my line of view |
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| It is a tremendously long field for my 15-85mm lens... |
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| Lots of re-positioning |
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| Still trying to maintain a viewpoint |
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| A battle of the champions in the center |
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| The huge Moor took on all comers |
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| The big Moor killed at least 3 Christians |
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| Yup, this Christian fell too |
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| The Christian ladies had a ringside seat atop the castle at the other end. |
