SAN VICENTE WHIPPINGSToday we are going to talk to you about one of the famoust traditions of Holy Week in Spain, the ‘’San Vicente Whippings’’, ‘’Los Picaos de San Vicente’’ in Spanish.

The members of the ‘’Cofradia (Brotherhood) of Santa Veracruz of San Vicente’’ are also known as the ‘’Picaos’’ which are the people that anonymously beat themselves ontheir back with a whip. Let’s explain this deeply.

It is believed that the tradition began in the late 15th century or early 16th century. Sincethen has been linked to the Cofradía de la Santa Vera Cruz in the town. On March 20,1799 attempted unsuccessfully to abolish this tradition as it was taking place privately.

Each person who wantsto participate in this activity has to complete some requirements:he has to be an adult, a male, and has to have a certificate fromhis priest, which accredits his Christian sense and his faith. Oncethese are completed, he will go to the headquarters of the churchwhere they will assign him a colleague, from the brotherhood,who will help him during the penitence.

Once he is dressed with the clothing he’ll go to the procession orto the ‘’Holy Hour’’ and will stand on his knees and will pray a prayer. When he standsup, his partner will remove the cape he wears and will open a hole in the back of the clothing where he will hit himself in between 800 and 1000 times. After about 20 minutes of hiting himself the partner will prick his back to heal the pain.

·By Jesús Gil Jiménez and