| Nicaragua 2008
Photographs by Lois and Don Porter 1/22/2008 |
Festival of San Sebastian
January 20 is the feast day of St. Sebastian. This feast is a focal point in Nicaragua with its connection to colonial and pre-colonial rituals. Many of the dances, songs, and costumes are true to the traditions that predate the arrival of the Spanish. The day before the feast, on January 19, a holy mass is celebrated in the church of Diriamba. Right after the mass the image of St. Sebastian leaves the Basilica of Diriamba to go to the town of Dolores to meet his friends, Saint Mark of San Marcos and Santiago of Jinotepe. This encounter is known as "El Tope". The saints are escorted by their people, the dancers and mounted parade horses. Following the reunion, the three saints continue the procession among thousands of revelers until they enter the Basilica of Diriamba. More dancing, and general revelry follows throughout the 19th and 20th. Some of the dances reflect the characters and spirit of the Nicaraguan folk drama “El Güegüense”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diriamba
http://www.diriamba.info/English/frontpage.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Gueguense
We made our way from Granada to Jinotepe early on Saturday the 19th, checked into our hotel, and headed for the church and the park. Around 8:50 or so, Lois suggested that we check out the church. People were standing around the statue of Santiago, the patron saint. Almost immediately, a flag waver began to wave a large flag furiously in front of the statue, two drummers set up a stirring roll, and the statue was picked up by bearers and carried down the aisle to the front of the church. Smoke bombs were also going off. It was really quite thrilling.
After the mass, the image of Santiago was carried out the front door, led by costumed dancers who were portraying Spanish aristocrats. We followed the procession to the first “tope”, a mile out the road from Jinotepe toward San Marcos.
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