Monday, June 27, 2011

No. Bullshit.

Editor's note -- Apparently, The Holy Roman Empire asked the village of Castrillo de Murcia to think up the dumbest idea it could as an alternative to baptism on June 26, 1620.


Israel Lopez / AP

    A man dressed up as the devil jumps over babies lying on a mattress in the street during 'El Colacho', the 'baby jumping festival' on June 26, in the village of Castrillo de Murcia, near Burgos, Spain.  Baby jumping is a traditional Spanish practice dating back to 1620 that takes place annually to celebrate the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi.

    During the act - known as El Salto del Colacho (the devil's jump) or simply "El Colacho" men dressed as the Devil (known as the Colacho) jump the babies to take the evil from those born the last twelve months of the year as they lie on mattresses in the street.


 k. a. gardner 

"Man dressed as the Devil" !?! RT  WTF? "Spanish celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi with baby jumping"

.......................................................

UPDATE:  The Editor is grateful to Mr James Hovendick of Houston, Texas for his expertise on El Salto del Colacho:

"The Pope 'frowns' on the Baby Jumping festival now, since 2009," he says.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Mr Jim, and, I assume Mrs Jim, live in  Montgomery, Texas, NOT Houston. As a personal anecdote, I'll add that I have relatives (on my father's side) who used to live in Katy, Texas but now live in an assisted living community in Houston. 


FOR THE RECORD: Mr Hovendick would also add that, "Google had more about the festival than I could read in the time I had. I just wanted to share a bit."


~8~

Israel Lopez / AP
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5 comments:

  1. JimJune 27, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    This is new to me, Karen. We stayed a day and a couple of nights in Burgos, Spain, several years ago. It was in the summer but we missed this festival. Burgos was holding a music festival then which we attended.
    ..
    The Pope 'frowns' on the Baby Jumping festival now, since 2009:
    "The festival has been rated as one of the most dangerous in the world. The origins of the tradition are unknown but it is said to cleanse the babies of original sin, ensure them safe passage through life and guard against illness and evil spirits.
    Pope Benedict has asked priests in Spain to distance themselves from the El Colacho, or Baby Jumping Festival, after a recent tragic accident where babies were endangered and a 92 year old man was killed ..."
    http://withleather.uproxx.com/2009/04/baby-jumping-is-all-the-rage-in-spain
    ..

    ReplyDelete
  2. k. riggs gardnerJune 27, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    Thanks, Jim. If you click on the link provided by @pourmecoffee's tweet, you'll find that the above picture of a man dressed up as the devil jumping over babies was taken yesterday.

    But thanks for giving it the old college try, professor.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JimJune 28, 2011 at 12:27 AM

    Oh yes, I know that. They still observe the festival and other places also are now.
    It is just that the Pope doesn't want the church involved with it because of the 2009 incident.

    Thank you. Google had more about the festival than I could read in the time I had. I just wanted to share a bit.
    ..

    ReplyDelete
  4. k. riggs gardnerJune 28, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    Dr Jim, I always appreciate your's and Mrs Jim's input on any subject. You both are so obviously well-traveled that any of my own efforts pale in comparison.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Doug The UnaJune 30, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    That practice seems like a prize-winner to me, too.

    ReplyDelete

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