Baby jumping festival


The "Baby Jumping Festival," also known as El Colacho, is a unique Spanish tradition held annually in the village of Castrillo de Murcia. It involves men dressed as "devils" leaping over babies laid on mattresses in the street. The festival is part of a larger celebration for the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi and is believed to cleanse the babies of sin and protect them from evil spirits. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:
What it is:
El Colacho is a four-day festival culminating in the "baby jumping" ritual. 
Where it's held:
The festival takes place in Castrillo de Murcia, a small village in the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain. 
What happens:
Men dressed in red and yellow costumes, representing the devil, run through the streets, chase teenagers, and whip villagers with a horsetail on a stick. Then, the most famous part, they leap over babies, who are laid on mattresses in the street. 
Why it's done:
It's believed that the "devil" takes away the sins of the babies and protects them from illness and evil spirits. 
Religious and cultural significance:
The festival blends Catholic and pagan traditions, representing the triumph of good over evil. It's a significant cultural event for the village and attracts visitors from around the world. 

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