Page 26 - Spanish Insight - April 2020

A tour of the Velez-Malaga

Brotherhoods, Las Cofradia

By Peter Norman Read

A year ago, on Maundy thursday, the Brotherhood are borne by Most of the DIETY are housed in
I set off from home, in the rain, the Brotherhood. Most of the churches around the high area
to join a group of 20 people, Thrones carrying the various of Velez and are moved into
organised by gloria of lux Mundi, DIETY can weigh up to 5 tonnes specially erected tents during
who were to tour and learn and require 250 to 300 people Semana Santa for cleaning,
something about the Cofrades of to carry them, short walks and assembling and blessing, and
Velez-Malaga. short breaks are the order of the the use of the Incense burners
we met at 10.00am outside the day. The making of such splendid (Thurible), which are used during
Ayuntamiento in plaza de las DIETY requires many special prayers and around the “TRONO”
Carmelites and wonderfully the skills and manufactures of them or “IMAGE”. This takes place
sun came out. we were joined are mainly in Seville, Malaga, before the evening parade, the
by snr.Juan Zapata a senior and Granada. The wonderfully duration of the parades vary,
member of the Cofrade, or intricate metalwork is mainly some of the DIETY are out for
Brotherhood, who had agreed to covered in 24 carat gold leaf. 2/3 hours and some for 5 hours
be our guide on this tour. frequently into the early hours of
the morning. Another important
The first Cofradia was in 1937. and often overlooked part of the
Confradia del Santisimo Christo preparations is the large number
de Los Vigias. of men, women and teenagers
preparing food for the penitents
to eat.
We were very fortunate and
privileged to go into these
sanctuaries whilst all this work
was being carried out and able
to see, and touch, all of the items
that are carried on the parades
plus see the great detail and
works of art that creates the
DIETY. We usually only see as it
passes by!

MORe inteReSting FaCtS

In the case of inclement weather, the person in the position of
Elder Brother has the responsibility of cancelling a procession
just before the procession is due to go out.
The rails that support the The ringing of the bell, or bells, is to instruct all to move as one
Thrones and which sits on the when carrying.
penitents’ shoulders are made
of steel channel and are strong Depending on the City, the people who carry are known as
but hollow, the underneath is COSTALEROS, PENITENTS OR NAZARENOS.
padded.
In the early days of the Cofradias it was men only who were
The population of Velez has grown carriers but in recent years women are now allowed to carry.
in recent years to over 78,000, The CAPIROTES, which is the famous conical hat, was originally
the age group 15-65 years is worn to give anonymity to people belonging to and taking part
about 50,000 and the number in the procession and therefore today it still hides the gender of
of people involved with the the person carrying.
Brotherhoods is about 10,000.
The number of Brotherhoods is The ladies, who always follow as part of the procession, and
currently 19 and the honoured are known as “Mantillas”. These ladies are dressed in black
position of carrier is usually with knee-length dresses, high heels and of course the famous
carried on through the family lace head dress with veil known as Mantilla.
line, the current President of the
Association of Brotherhoods is Whilst most people only see the Cofradia in the parades
the 5th generation of his family to during Semana Santa Easter Week, they are active most of the
carry. Some of the Brotherhoods year and help the Technical department of the Ayuntimiento,
have a waiting list for people particularly at Semana Santa with street cleaning and lifting of
wanting to join. An interesting fact electric cables to allow the Dieties to pass under safely.
is that new Brotherhoods are still
able to be formed and to do this In the charitable work they offer help to the homeless of Velez-
the founders first of all have to Malaga and give donations to the handicapped and Carritas.
make application to the Diocesan
Bishop, state which church they
would like to operate from, and
await his permission. All the Spanish Insight thanks Peter Norman Read for this article and
costs for forming and running photographs, and to the dedicated team at Lux Mundi, Torre del Mar.
26 Spanish Insight April 2020