Cascamorras facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fiesta de Cascamorras |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Date(s) | 6 September |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Guadix and Baza (Granada), Spain |
| Fiesta of International Tourist Interest | |
| Designated | 2013 |
The Fiesta de Cascamorras is a super fun and messy festival held every year in two towns in Spain: Guadix and Baza. These towns are in the Province of Granada. The festival happens on September 6th. It's all about a playful "fight" over a special statue of the Virgin Mary, called the Virgen de la Piedad. This festival is so unique that in 2013, it was named a "Fiesta of International Tourist Interest" by Spain!
Contents
What is the Cascamorras Festival?
This festival is a lively tradition that brings together people from Guadix and Baza. One person, dressed as Cascamorras, tries to take the statue of the Virgin Mary from Baza to Guadix. But the people of Baza try to stop him! They throw paint and dirt to make sure he doesn't arrive clean. If he arrives clean, it means he failed to take the statue.
The Story Behind the Cascamorras
The festival's history goes back a long time. Guadix and Baza are two towns in Andalusia that are close but also rivals.
How the Statue Was Found
The story says that a worker from Guadix, named Cascamorras, was working in Baza. He found a special statue of the Virgen de la Piedad buried in the ground. This was a very important discovery!
The Attempt to Move the Statue
Cascamorras wanted to take the statue back to his hometown, Guadix. His friends in Guadix were very excited about this idea. But the people of Baza didn't want the statue to leave their town. They believed it belonged to them.
The "Sacred Theft" and Its Consequences
As Cascamorras tried to carry the statue, the people of Baza stopped him. They took the statue back, seeing his attempt as a "sacred theft." When Cascamorras returned to Guadix without the statue, his own townspeople were very disappointed. They were upset with him because he didn't bring the Virgin Mary home.
Reconciliation and the Festival's Beginning
Eventually, Cascamorras and the people of Guadix made up. They prayed to the Virgin Mary, who stayed in Baza. To remember these events that both unite and separate the towns, the Fiesta de Cascamorras is celebrated every year. It's a way to remember their shared history and friendly rivalry.
See also
In Spanish: Cascamorras para niños
- Spanish culture
- Traditions
