After leaving Toledo we headed south to Camuñas. The city is recognized for the mass held in front of the local church to commemorate Corpus Christi. During the mass the "Sins" stand in a semicircle several yard from the main altar. At the sounding of a gun shot, the "Sins" begin to scrape their long rods on the ground while they moan and groan showing their displeasure for what is happening and being said in the mass.
After the mass begins the procession. In the Plaza del Reloj the "Sins" put on the offensive against the symbols of good. A final rifle shot announces the arrival of "Little Sin." He alegorizes the sins of the flesh. Behind him comes the "Greater Sin" who dressed in black wears a mask representing the Devil himself.
As the procession progresses the "Sins" run towards the altar in the "Correa" where they are overthrown as they fall before the Host located at the main altar. From this point forward those who represent good form two lines extending from the altar forward. These are the "Dancers" who to the beat of a drum and tambourines begin an elaborate dance called teh "tejer del cordón" (the knitting of the rope).
The lines are headed up by the "Cordel" who represents "Justice" and by "Prudence" that guides the line on the left. Behind follows an indeterminate number of positive souls.
Closing the formation is an immovable figure who represents the blindness of Faith.
This is the "Judío Mayor" and invokes pejoratives and negative images of the figure. In the interior of the procession is the "Capitan" who represents "Charity," and a man who carries a rod (known as the "Alcalde") represents "Hope" and follows behind the positive souls, encouraging them forward. The man with the "Tambor" and the "Porra," the first representing "Temprance" and the second "Strength." This man moves backwards through the two lines as he encourages the "Madama," who symbolizes "Grace." The "Madama encourages the positive souls to follow her as she (always played by a man) picks up one at a time and weaves them all into an elaborate dance that forms the core of the procession and the creation of the "cordón."
This very complex and highly symbolic ritual ends as the "cordón" that has been woven is unwoven and the strengthened positive souls dance toward the main altar, waving a white scarf in the air in celebration of the victory of Christ.
Once the "cordón" is unraveled and the positive souls once again form two lines, the "Sins" gather at the far end of the plaza again to do battle with the Eurcharist. Each one runs toward the main altar, fall to their knees, and surrender to the power of Christ. At the end of the procession the Priest carries the Eucharist from the altar and carries it throughout the city.
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We left Camuñas and went to the Windmills in Consuegra. The windmills are similar to those described in Miguel de Cervantes El ingenioso caballero Don Quijote de la Mancha. We got a great group shot at the top of the mountain and a nice view of the surrounding "La Mancha."
The place was so inspiring that it made you want to break into a song, "To dream the impossible dream..." (oh by the way, some students did!!!).
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