Cucurucho Paying for His Turns at the Float

Purple or violet is the color of Lent and the Holy Week. Cucuruchos wear their cone-head purple dress as a sign of penitence. Not only Cucuruchos have to observe penitence for the Lent (Cuaresma) and the Holy Week (Semana Santa), but they also have to pay if they want to get a chance to carry the enormous floats, known here as andas. According to my good friend Nelo, each turn costs around Q60 (around US$8), there are around 60 turns and each float has somewhere between 80 and 100 spaces for the Cucuruchos. That’s close to Q290,000 (US$38,000) per procession. Boy oh boy, there’s big money to be made with each procession. Now if only they didn’t have to spend the money… but that’s another day’s story! 😉

By the way, you should visit my dear friend Nelo’s web site EnAntigua.com for all the photos of all the processions of Lent and the Holy Week since 2001. Be prepare, there are over a thousand images of Semana Santa and Cueresma at his web site.

You can also browse the Holy Week category for La Antigua Guatemala Daily Photo for more background information and photos about the Semana Santa and Cuaresma in La Antigua.

Jerry T says:

March 18, 2008 at 8:18 am

I am loving this year’s take on Holy Week. Sort of a behind the scenes look at all of the activities. VERY interesting and still quite colorful.

Manolo says:

March 18, 2008 at 10:23 am

Did you asked them to give the “cucurucho” change with a Q5. bill just to keep the colour scheme consistent? Colourful money, another thing Guate and Canada have in common!

Sara says:

March 18, 2008 at 11:42 am

Where does that money go?

coltrane_lives says:

March 18, 2008 at 10:06 pm

With all the fireworks I’ve heard throughout LAG, I would venture to say at least a few Qs are spent on these! 🙂 Your dialogues are most helpful and appreciated.

Rudy says:

March 21, 2008 at 12:04 am

Sara, I will tell you where the money goes… soon!

Yeah Manolo, I arranged the whole thing, including the Q5 bill of Don Justo Rufino Barrios. 😉

Claudia says:

March 22, 2008 at 3:49 pm

I’m terrified of a cuete landing on or too close to me. . or a bomba. . wow Rudy thanks for the tidbit I did not know the turnos sold out – glad to know that this kind of reverence still exists. I remember going to processions when I was little and I remember my dad would put me on his shoulders so I could get a better view. Rudy, dumb question, but do you know how the ticket system works? FOr example, how does someone know when their # is up – or do they have all the #1s together, then all the #2s, 3s and so on?

cesar says:

June 8, 2008 at 8:41 pm

What your friend didn’t tell you is about all the expenses the churches have for the processions.

For example Each musician charges Q150.00 p/hour = $20.00 p/h times 12 hours of procession = $240.00 per musician. Each procession usually has 60 musician which makes close to $15,000 just with Jesus, then you have to include Virgin Mary, turnos, decoration, electricity….at the end I just want to clarify that The Holy week is not business.

If you have any question feel free to e-mail me

Cesar

nycfinishline@gmail.com

Mark says:

April 7, 2009 at 10:08 am

Cesar, thanks for clarifying. I know Rudy planned a follow-up, but I think your clarification was appropriate. There is enough hostility towards Catholics here already.

Cucurucho Paying for His Turns at the Float

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