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Street tour of the Judas dolls. Moreda, 1982. José Ángel Chasco.

The burning of straw puppets at certain times of the year is quite an extended practice in rural Europe and Latin America. Dummies are traditionally burned at Christmas, Carnival, Easter, patron saint celebrations… It is the immolation of Judases during Eastertide in Álava and Navarre we shall address here. Álava and Navarre are the Basque territories where the custom is more deeply rooted. In Álava, it is particularly popular in Salinas de Añana and Lagrán, as well as Moreda and Samaniego. Formerly, mistreatment of Judas figures took place in every town of La Rioja and Álava. (more…)