Nazarenos in Malaga, a photo from Malaga, Andalucia

Photographer's Note

‘Nazarenos in Malaga’

A break from my Indian photos and a short interlude in Andalusia.
I realize that showing these pictures of the Semana Santa after Easter loses a lot of meaning. That’s the consequence of doing other things while traveling than being online …

The Nazarenos are the members of the brotherhoods who participate in the processions of the Semana Santa. They are also known as those who do penance.

The Nazarenos are dressed in robes and capes, wearing cone shaped head gear that makes it impossible to know who is behind their disguises. At first sight it reminds foreigners of images of the Ku Klux Klan in the US. However, it does not have anything to do with that.

The cone is supposed to symbolize a sort of rising towards the heaven and therefore this part of dress is designed to bring their penitence closer to the heavens.

Interesting to know is that in Spanish cemeteries cone shaped shrubs, such as cypress trees, are often found, to symbolically raise the dead towards heaven.

This information and more is found at:
http://www.andalucia.com/festival/easter/nazarenes.htm

jean113, macjake, papagolf21, jemaflor, Tue, jhm, ChrisJ, Royaldevon, Fis2, pajaran, ktanska, alvaraalto, adramad, mcmtanyel, maloutim, cornejo, quovadis heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

lousat (139170) 2019-05-01 13:20

Hi Paul.Surely you did well not to stay on the web and not waste time on your travels. Although Easter has passed, this remains a really interesting and original testimony, 2 perfect photos and interesting notes that also speak of local cemeteries.Have a good night and thanks,Luciano

jean113 (27819) 2019-05-01 14:22

Hello Paul, yes initially my first thought was of a similarity to the Klu Klux Klan, but thankfully your note explains very thoroughly what we need to know as we study your picture.
A very sharp shot, thanks for sharing.
Regards Jean.

macjake (98402) 2019-05-01 16:13

Hi Paul
ok i'm glad you mentioned the KKK before I did! because thats EXACTLY what I was thinking at first glance, and even at 2nd glance...It's not an outfit I'd want to be caught seen in, even if it doesn't have anything to do with the KKK, of course it doesn't, but its just so similar, too similar. Makes me wonder...is the KKK as well known here over in Europe? Very interesting scene indeed. its an eye catcher for sure. cheers
Craig

Nicou (193806) 2019-05-01 21:50

Hello

tous ce homme avec leur cape quelle image et scène quel mystère derrière ces visages et ces capuches toutes noir et leur pointus au sommet et quels objets til tiennent dur eux fantastique vue et image.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

papagolf21 (152607) 2019-05-01 23:03

Bonjour, cher Paul,
Un grand merci pour cette note fort bien rédigée et mettant en lumière ces personnages étonnants.
Comme quoi, l'on apprend tous les jours.
Une composition originale et édifiante.
Amitiés.
Philippe

jemaflor (147018) 2019-05-01 23:27

Salut Paul,
Bien présentée cette tradition avec ces originales tenues, bonnes lumière et aussi netteté, intéressant post.

mesutilgim (0) 2019-05-01 23:42

Hello Pavle,
Another interesting capture in your gallery.
I did hear about this brotherhood but didn't have the chance to see them.
Quite strange and of course interesting to know, that the tradition is still been utilised.
Many good and usefull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

holmertz (102604) 2019-05-02 0:28

Hello Paul,
It is of course impossible not to think of the KKK when seeing this. My instinctive resentment to such costumes remains even after reading the note. They make me think of any kind of equally disgusting religious and political fundamentalism. But having said that I must add that these are all very interesting photos, immaculately well taken and obviously telling me something about the world.
Best regards,
Gert

Tue (92302) 2019-05-02 1:12

Hallo Paul,
Inderdaad zorgen deze kostuums in eerste instantie voor heel andere connotaties, maar de note vertelt over de werkelijke betekenis van deze gewaden en hoge, zwarte mutsen. Een uitstekende foto van de zwartwit geklede mannen tegen een kleurrijke achtergrond.
Lars

Sergiom (117241) 2019-05-02 6:31

Bonjour Paul

Ces déguisements ont une toute autre signification en Europe qu'en Amérique et c'est tant mieux, car ils me donnent la chair de poule. Beau cadrage serré et grande netteté.

Amicalement

Serge

jhm (211736) 2019-05-02 10:29

Dag Paul,

Reeds enkele weken geleden maar welkom terug.
Uw twee bijkomende foto verhelderen uw hood foto.
Heel goed foto werk, en ik leer er iets van
Bedankt om deze te delen.

Groetjes uit Oost-Vlaandzeren,
John

ChrisJ (171794) 2019-05-02 12:11

Hi Paul

I thought the same thing about the KKK when I first saw this image. A superb daily life scene from southern Spain with good sharpness and an informative note. Tfs!

Silvio1953 (221463) 2019-05-03 2:18

Ciao Paul, fantastic scene, fine details, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

rychem (72187) 2019-05-03 7:42

An original Brotherhood, I think the Ku Klux Klan desined its dresses after this Brotherhood, a very interesting photo
regards Ryszard

gervaso (28177) 2019-05-03 9:15

Hello, Paul!

So you've been traveling again, this time to Spain! Interesting and curious clothes of these people, and it's good to know that they don't have anything to do with the KKK! A great image that shows a little bit of the religious culture of this place, and with very good quality! Well done!

Royaldevon (85862) 2019-05-03 9:15

Hello Paul,

I was quite surprised to see this photograph for I immediately connected it with the Ku Klux Klan.
How pleasing to learn that these people are trying to reach Heaven rather than kill people!
Your photograph is very descriptive, clearly showing the Nazarenos and their costumes.
The people about seem to be, like you, intent on recording this scene on their cameras!
I don't think I have ever seen them pictured before!

Well seen and well recorded,
Bev :-)

Fis2 (170639) 2019-05-04 1:46

Witaj Paul!
An interesting scene from everyday life.
The costumes are very curious, they make an amazing impression.
Good framing, colros and light.
Excellent reportage shot.
Well done.
Good morning.
Krzysztof

pajaran (115779) 2019-05-04 3:08

Dobar dan.
Interesantan pogled i trenutak, dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici, lepo pokazano, dobar kontarst, lepe boje, dobro uhvacen trenutak.
Lep trenutrak sa ceremonije.
Zelim vam lep dan, sve najbolje za vikend.
Paja.

Good day.
An interesting view and a moment, good text ...
Good work with nice photos in the workshop, beautifully shown, good contours, nice colors, well-caught moment.
Nice moment from the ceremony.
I wish you a nice day, all the best for the weekend.

ktanska (44714) 2019-05-04 3:14

Hi Paul,
Thanks for showing this photo of Spanish Easter tradition. I was in Spain too and also saw a procession. Although there are no hoods visible in my upload, on the event I saw they were red.
Kari

emka (158030) 2019-05-04 23:38

Hello Paul, So you went to Spain this time. I would love to see one day Semana Santa in Spain. Amazing view of these Nazarenos. They look similar to Ku-Klux-Klan. There are similar processions in Toledo too.
Kind regards MAlgo

alvaraalto (42804) 2019-05-05 8:12

Dag Paul,
Het levert natuurlijk leuke plaatjes op, toch voel ik me nooit thuis bij dit soort gebeurtenissen.
Genootschappen die hun individualiteit verhullen hebben meestal iets te verbergen ook al beweren ze het tegenovergestelde.
Maar okay als presentatie van een traditie is het natuurlijk net zo aantrekkelijk als ons bloemencorso.
Maar natuurlijk wel de complimenten voor het uitstekende fotowerk.
Groet Rob

mkamionka (74311) 2019-05-05 11:37

Hi Paul,
very interesting reportage from Spain.
It must be a great feeling to witness such extraordinary traditions or festivals.
Although I suppose they may attract a lot of visitors so places may be crowded.
So usually I prefer to visit places not in the "rush hour".
Very well captured, the pointy hats make a unique repeated motif here.
I bet you have managed to see some other interesting rituals as well.
Great reportage,
M

carlo62 (81265) 2019-05-05 13:08

Ciao Paul
anche se il periodo non è esattamente quello giusto, le foto rimangono belle e interessanti.
Un'ottima condivisione, diversa dalle solite architetture o monumenti.
Saluti
Carlo

adramad (72934) 2019-05-06 15:35

Hello Paul.
Very nice note as an introduction, to these three magnificent photos that highlight a minimum part of what is Holy Week in Spain, which is also very different depending on the region where you are, certainly in Andalucia are the most colorful and happy, in Castile, for example, is recollection, silence and penance.
Very nice color, which together with good sharpness and optimal lighting, gives great image quality.
Well done. I like very much
You have a good day.
Very best regards
Luis.

mcmtanyel (68383) 2019-05-10 21:52

Hello Paul,
It's an interesting street scene. Indeed they remind me of KKK members but these hats are longer and are black, rather than white.
Regards,
MT

Miguel82 (47110) 2019-05-11 2:41

Hello, thanks for your critiques. Original procession displaying the Nazarenos wearing robes and capes. The cone shaped head gears have style. Many passers-by gather on the street side to admire the religious walk celebrating Easter. Good pov, neat photo

maloutim (13617) 2019-05-24 0:21

Bonjour Paul,
Une photo intéressante et bien capturée de ce nazareno perpétuant la tradition de repentance du carême; Je n’avais jamais pensé à la signification des cônes qui s’élèvent vers le ciel !
Beau contraste de couleurs entre les costumes austères des repentants et celles plus gaies de la rue.
Merci du partage.
Amicalement.
Marie-Louise.

cornejo (61504) 2019-06-08 5:16

Hello Paul, very good photograph of this interesting scene of daily life in the holy week of Andalucia, very well captured in this interesting image, with good sharpness, light, color and quality. Very good and interesting work perfectly done, my congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing.

Good afternoon and happy Sunday.
Warm greetings from the south of Spain.
Angel.

quovadis (5711) 2019-06-08 12:39

Hi Paul.

The meaning of penance is always important to bring to daily light, no matter of the season of the year or liturgical calendar.

A great presentation with the "brothers" in faith gathered in a street celebration, something worth attention and adoration. Thanks for sharing, have a nice Sunday.