This photo essay documents the famous processions during the week before Easter, Holy Week, in Taranto. Since 1605, the devoted perform a traditional "pilgrimage" between the old and new city, visiting all the ancient curches in the city along the route. The two brotherhoods organizing the processions called: "le Perdune", "l'Addolorata," and "i Misteri".
The statue of grieving Madonna during the pilgrimage in the Isola (old city). The exit of Madonna from Church of Saint Domenico is considered from the Tarantinians the main event of the Holy Week.
The statue of fallen Christ during the procession of "Misteri" the holy Friday.
One of the three "crociferi" who bring the cross on the shoulder during the pilgrimage of Madonna.
People bringing the statue of veiled Christ during the procession of "Misteri" the holy Friday, it's the last statue in procession during the holy week.
People bringing the statue of veiled Christ during the procession of "Misteri" the holy Friday.
The priors of the brotherood of the grieving Madonna before the "alzata" of the statue.
The pilgrimage of the statue of Grieving Madonna, the main event of the Holy week and the church of Saint Domenico, where the statue stands for the rest of the year.
The brotherhood of Saint Mary of Constantinople (born in 1580) in the old city during the march from Duomo (main church) to the Saint Josef church.
"le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, near the curch of Carmine, in Borgo (new city) where they start their penance. They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"Le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, in the church of Duomo (main church) in the Isola (old city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"Le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, in the church of Duomo (main church) in the Isola (old city). A couple of "perdune" is called "posta", at every altar a posta give the change to the previous for the prayer, the change of the "posta" is a rite with secret words whispered to the fellow of brotherhood.
"le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, in Borgo (new city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
The famous processions of the Holy Week in Taranto.
Since the 1605 the devoted doing the traditional "pilgrimage" in the old and new city, visiting all the ancient curches in the city.
Two brotherhoods organizing the processions called: "le Perdune", "l'Addolorata" and "i Misteri".
In photo: "le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, all'Isola (old city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, in Borgo (new city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, going to the church of Duomo (main church) in the Isola (old city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
Wedding in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, a young couple get married in a traditional way in Palestine territory.
In the mountains of the south of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, Toraja people celebrate the death of their relatives with old rituals. They keep the body of the dead person until the "tomate" (funeral). They consider the deceased to be "makula" (sick) and they bring food and drink and talk with the dead person. When the family decides to celebrate the funeral they kill nine buffalos. (ARTICLE AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH AND FRENCH ON REQUEST).
Chinese opera in Thailand is a dying art. Opera companies performed for years in theaters, but the tradition is now under threat because of changing cultural habits and demographics. Nowadays these companies travel from village to village, bringing the tradition as a way to honor ancestors rather than to entertain the masses. Local Chinese temples raise the money to pay expenses.
Chinese opera became popular when Chinese migrated to Thailand in large numbers two hundred years ago. About 14 percent of Thailand’s population is ethnic Chinese. As older ethnic Chinese pass away, younger generations who have assimilated into Thai culture do not really continue the tradition. Further, just a small number of Thais of Chinese descent understand the dialect used by these opera singers.
Text: Ana Salvá
Fotos: Walter Astrada
One of the star performers applies makeup before going on stage. He is one of the few who continue to sing in Chinese dialect. Some of the company are ethnic Chinese, but others are rural Thais who were sold into the troupe when they were children. Picture by Walter Astrada.
An opera company member applies makeup before the performance. The child is the son of a couple of the performers who accompanies his parents in their nomadic life. Picture by Walter Astrada.
Chinese opera companies travel from one village to another in Thailand performing in local fairs and festivals. Picture by Walter Astrada.
A portrait of one of the performers. Picture by Walter Astrada.
Chinese opera company members ready for a performance. The actors and singers carry on the tradition as a way to honour ancestors rather than to entertain the masses
An audience member enjoys the performance of a Chinese opera near Ayuttaya, north of Bangkok. Picture by Walter Astrada.
Two children watch the performance of a Chinese opera near Ayuttaya, north of Bangkok. As time goes by Chinese opera performers see fewer new faces in the audience. Picture by Walter Astrada.
A member of the opera company applies makeup near the stage. Some of performers are sold into the troupe as children and raised in the company with little education. Picture by Walter Astrada.