Are Demons Real? Spanish Town Celebrates ‘La Endiablada’ Or Brotherhood Of Devils Festival

A Spanish town recently celebrated “La Endiablada” or “Brotherhood of the Devils” festival, in which Catholic men dress up as devil and take part in processions. It was celebrated through Thursday and Friday last week, to mark two holidays — the “Candelaria” procession and the day of Saint Blas — respectively.

Almonacid del Marquesado town in Cuenca, central Spain, has been celebrating “La Endiablada” since medieval times. The “Candelaria” procession, celebrated Feb. 2, represents the Virgin Mary presenting the baby Jesus to officials authorities in the temple 40 days after Christmas.

According to the legend, the procedure of presenting the baby Jesus caused the Virgin Mary embarrassment because of the circumstances of Jesus’s birth. However, “La Endiablada” who were dressed up in colorful costumes with heavy copper cowbells tied around their waist diverted public’s attention from the Virgin Mary to let her complete the procedure.

On Feb. 3, another procession commemorated the day of Saint Blas. The procession came to being after Almonacid del Marquesado town shepherds found a statue of the saint and defeated another town to keep the figure, according to another legend. In a bid to celebrate their win, the shepherds rang the bells of their animals. This is believed to have inspired the walking sticks the shepherds carry.

On the two holidays, men in Almonacid del Marquesado dress up in colorful devil-type costumes and tie up cowbells around their waists. According to the Associated Press, the brotherhood paraded to the town's church, where the sound of the bells is augmented inside its old stone walls. This year, 80-year-old Aniceto Rodrigo presided over the celebrations. He was given the title the Diablo Mayor, or "great devil," because he boasted of having participated in the celebrations for several years, without missing a single year.