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The Burras of Güímar

  • Start date: Friday, February 16, 2024
  • End date: Friday, February 16, 2024
  • Begins at: 9:00 PM
  • Location: Güímar
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The Burras of Güímar

In Güímar, the traditional carnival ceremony of the burial of the sardine has become a curious celebration known as Las Burras de Güímar. This theatrical spectacle based on ancient witchery has been performed since 1992. The unusual burial begins with the appearance of some strange "burras" who join the funeral cortège. When it reaches the main square, suspicions are raised and the country-folk stab at them with knives. The burras are then transformed into dirty witches who invoke the devil during a witches’ sabbath. The witches dance wildly until the bishop arrives to hold an exorcism, exhorting the help of the Archangel Michael, who descends from heaven and fights with the devil.  With the devil dead, he orders the burras to be burnt on the bonfire and peace is restored to the town.

The Burras of Güímar
The Burras of Güímar