The Colacho Jumps Over Babies in Castrillo de Murcia
In the Burgalesian village of Castrillo de Murcia, the sacred and the profane merge in a unique annual celebration. A man dresses in a vibrant colored suit to embody the Colacho, a figure representing the devil. This character jumps over the babies born that year, who lie on mattresses in the street. This act, declared of Tourist Interest, functions as a collective exorcism that, according to belief, cleanses the little ones of original sin and protects them from future evils. 👹
Roots that intertwine the ancient and the religious
Although today the festival is linked to Corpus Christi, its origins point to rites prior to Christianity. Experts suggest it may have arisen from fertility or cleansing ceremonies, where a feared entity could also grant protection. The Catholic Church integrated this custom, endowing it with new meaning: the devil, by jumping, flees defeated by the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Thus, a ritual that seems unsettling becomes a symbol of overcoming evil.
Key elements of the ritual:- The Colacho: Central character dressed in yellow and red, runs and jumps over the infants.
- The babies: Placed on mattresses in the public street, entrusted by their parents.
- The meaning: Perceived as an act that purifies, frees from guilt, and protects from diseases and harmful spirits.
Faith moves mountains, and in this case, it also makes a man dressed as a demon jump over your newborn with the best intentions.
How the celebration unfolds today
The festival begins with a religious procession. Then, the Colacho, accompanied by others like the Atabalero —who plays the drum—, tours the streets. He chases the neighbors with a whip or a horse's tail, in a game that mixes provocation and contained fear. The climax arrives with the jump over the babies. The parents show faith, not fear, in the power of the rite. After this, rose petals are thrown over the children and the Guardian Angel blesses them, balancing the action of the devilish character.
Characters and highlights:- Initial procession: Provides the religious framework to the celebration.
- Atabalero: Accompanies the Colacho marking the rhythm with his drum.
- Chase and whip: The Colacho interacts with the public, generating an atmosphere of ritual tension.
- Purifying jump: The central act over the mattresses with the babies.
- Final blessing: Intervention of the Guardian Angel and shower of rose petals.
A rite that challenges modern perception
This event is not a course for first-time parents, but it undoubtedly tests the nerves of any outsider. The tradition endures because the community firmly believes in its symbolic efficacy. It represents the victory of the divine over the infernal and the protection of the youngest community. More than a spectacle, it is a profound expression of faith and cultural identity that has managed to adapt ancient rites to a modern religious context. ✨