El Salvador: Whip-wielding demons kick off Easter week

12 April 2022

Revellers dressed as devils whip a faithful during the celebration of the "Talciguines" of Texistepeque on April 11, 2022 — Image caption,
The devils whip the faithful so that they repent their sins

Locals in the city of Texistepeque in El Salvador have kicked off the Easter week with an annual festival which sees residents dressing up as demons known as "talcigüines" and playfully whipping bystanders.

The demons and a man dressed as Jesus act out scenes which are meant to represent the temptation of Christ as told in the gospels.

A man dressed as a demon participates in a ceremony known as Los Talciguines, as part of religious activities to mark the start of the Holy Week in Texistepeque, El Salvador, April 11, 2022.

Reuters

The traditional ceremony is held on the day after Palm Sunday and attracts people from across El Salvador to the city 50 miles (80 km) north of the capital San Salvador.

The men who are chosen to act as talcigüines start their day by attending mass.

A man dressed as a demon talks to a nun as he participates in a ceremony known as Los Talciguines, as part of religious activities to mark the start of the Holy Week in Texistepeque, El Salvador, April 11, 2022.

Reuters

They then walk through the city streets whipping visitors and locals in a ceremony in which those attending are meant to repent the sins they have committed during the year.

At the end of the ceremony, the demons lie down on the ground and the man playing Jesus steps over them, portraying the victory of good over evil.

A man dressed as a demon lies on the ground as he participates in a ceremony known as Los Talciguines, as part of religious activities to mark the start of the Holy Week in Texistepeque, El Salvador, April 11, 2022.

Reuters

A man dressed as Jesus Nazareno participates in a ceremony known as Los Talciguines, as part of religious activities to mark the start of the Holy Week in Texistepeque, El Salvador, April 11, 2022.

Reuters

The talcigüines are meant to represent evil and inspire terror but even the youngest residents know that the demons will be defeated in the end and are therefore not to be feared.