Categoría: Culture

Besides the processions, there is also another relevant activity in Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala. This place is famous for its spectacular carpets tradition (alfombras de Acerrin). The visitors enjoy walking on the streets of Antigua Guatemala not only to see the processions, but also to participate in the detailed elaboration of these colorful carpets to adorn the processional route.

Guillermo Montiel, member of a family that has been making carpets for Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala for more than 40 years, says that this is a tradition of years that comes from the Colonial era and the religious culture that the missionaries of that time, somehow created what we try to keep today living through these traditions.

There are two types of carpets that are made during Easter Week in Antigua Guatemala: The carpets along the processional route, made by residents who invite friends and family to assist them, and the carpets in the churches that are made for the holy vigils by the brotherhoods.

Montiel, that has approximately 48 years of making carpets in Antigua Guatemala, explains us that first of all, they made cardboard molds of creative figures to use when making the carpets, made of sawdust, sand, lime, and other materials, depending on the design of the carpet.

Sawdust is then collected and dyed in different colors. Favorite colors are purple, green, blue, red, yellow and black. Flowers such as bougainvillea, chrysanthemums, carnations, roses and other native plants and pine needles are also used.

“One of my favorites Easter week processions in Antigua Guatemala is the procession of La Merced, for Good Friday, because all the members of the Montiel family, cousins, uncles, brothers, sons… help in organizing and making the carpet. This Departs at 9pm on Thursday and returns Friday at 8 am. It takes to walk the streets all night, and is one of the main processions that walk in one of the longest carpet, that measures 20 meters. This carpet attracts many tourists”, adds Montiel.

On Good Friday the streets of Antigua Guatemala are covered with natural, aromatic carpets of flowers, pines, clover and fruits, which the residents put together and place in front of their homes. There are all kinds and shapes. Some are very long, even up to a kilometer, with colonial, Mayan, Roman or other original designs, and are made during the 24 hours prior to the procession. If more than one procession goes down a street a new carpet is made for each procession. Preparations for the carpets begin weeks, sometimes months, ahead. Carpets are started the day before the procession so that the carpets are finished just before the carriers of the float arrive to look its best.

Carlos Roca, Ex President of La Hermandad de Jesús Nazareno del Perdón, of San Francisco, says that another activity during Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala is the vigils (velaciones) that are held in the churches that have religious activities during the holiday: “One of the traditions in Antigua for Holy Week is the presence of Jesus in the tabernacle in all the churches so that people can visit Jesus at any time”, adds.

As you could see, Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala is a colorful week, a lot of traditional folklore, gastronomy of the time, a big economic movement, a lot of spiritual and religious movement. Gómez, of Antigua’s Municipality, agrees and comments that in these days, La Antigua Guatemala offers the visitors what they need, what they want: “Everybody is satisfied with what they see and experience, everyone finds their own niche and this is why, every year more and more tourists visit Antigua Guatemala for Holy Week. I believe that these religious practices are also an element that helps tourists get an idea of our traditions, which are shown with the majestic processions and carpets that decorates Antigua’s streets.