| Description |
The celebrations to honour the Candelaria and San Blas are the, ost well known and original in the whole province.
In these celebrations there is a group of men and children of the town who form what is known as “la endiablada”.
These “demons” are dressed up in a very outlandish way with a blouse and trousers covered with flower prints in very bright colours. Around the waist they carry tow or three huge cowbells that they make sound as they walk; on their heads they wear a flower hat on the day of the Candelaria and a mitre on the day of San Blas. In their hands they carry a truncheon or a piece of wood.
The whole “endiablada” acts under the command of the “diablo mayor” (main demon) a life-long post that is given to the eldest member of the group. In order to distinguish him, he is dressed up in red.
This group, after several preliminary meetings acts on the day previous to the celebrations by going first to the house of the “diablo mayor”, from where they must always start their actions. From there they go to the mayor’s house where they are entertained and where they ask permission to act. Once that is given, they take their first round of the town.
On the 2nd and 3rd early in the morning they take rounds of the town making a loud din with their cowbells.
Besides this group of demons, another group makes its appearance: the dancers, who were boys until a few years ago they were substituted for girls.
Among the manifold events that take place those days in Almonacid, we must point out that on the 2nd, the demons make a certain parade showing the vake that the “madrinas” (godmothers) have made as a present for the Virgin; they go with it, from one house to the next and women, at the sight of it give them sweets.
Also on the 2nd in the afternoon takes place the “lavatorio del santo” a mock act in which the “Diablo mayor” washes the saint’s face with anisette. |
