| Holy Week | | The foreman and the 'costaleros' |
Each effigy, depending on its size, is carried by 30 or 40
"costaleros" that support upon their necks and shoulders
the weight of the float.
The task
of the "costaleros" is hidden by a long skirt around the
effigy. Before there were professionals that were paid for their
work. But since the end of the seventies, the brothers have done
it for free.
The name comes from the "costal" or sack. It is nothing
more than a rolled-up sack placed at the back of the head
to soften the weight and avoid slippage of the float.
The sack is covered with a heavy canvas, strong but soft so the skin
is not irritated with the movement.
A task of great importance is distributing heighth. Bad
distribution can cause alterations in the way the "costaleros"
walk with the effigy.
The foreman is responsible for the group. Dressed in black, he walks
in front of the effigy. With brief and rapid commands he directs the
movement while the "costaleros" can not see what is around
them. The "cotraguías" are the foreman's helpers.
At the corners of the float, they repeat in a low voice the
orders so they can be heard by the "costaleros" through
the breathing spaces.
A typical character is the waterboy. Before, with a canteen on his
shoulder, he brought water and wine to the "costaleros"
in a small cup. Today, they usually bring plastic bottles.
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