Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/177

 Holy Week in Mexico. 165

devils. Explosives crackers and rockets are cunningly wrought into their anatomy. Their interior may be stuffed with meat, soap, bread, candies, clothing, for the crowd. On Saturday morning these figures are hung up on cords stretched across the street, and in the large cities scores or hundreds may be suspended over a single street. Those with contents of value are so suspended as to be raised and lowered by ropes. The Judases are left undisturbed until after the peal of bells ; they are then ignited or exploded, to the delight of the rabble. After being lighted, the figures containing gifts are lowered to the reach of the crowd, who struggle and fight to tear them to pieces ; the fireworks in such figures are usually arranged with the purpose of shooting into and burning the contestants. For some years, the Jockey Club (English) of the City of Mexico hung out several gigantic Judases stuffed with money. When these were lighted and lowered, the club members sat in their balconies to see the struggling crowd get coppers and burns. Nowadays these clubmen on this day throw out handfuls of copper to the crowd. During the latter part of Holy Week, in the City of Mexico, little Judases, made of silver or of pottery and often less than an inch in height, are sold by thousands. These are worn, pinned on the coat lapel or to the waist, by gentlemen and ladies.

The Blessing of the Water usually takes place after the hanging and burning of Judas. It is a pretty sight. Not only the profes- sional water-carriers {aquadores), but men, women, and children generally carry jars and vessels of water to the church ; these are prettily decorated with flowers. The petitioners kneel in rows in the churchyard. Two priests come out and walk up and down these rows ; the first drops a pinch of salt and prays ; the second sprinkles holy water. A third priest appearing at the church door pronounces the benediction.

Frederick Starr.

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