Guatemalan tradition enlists Burning of the Devil

Americas Now

Published May 3, 2015 at 7:05 PM
Updated May 3, 2015 at 2:36 PM

In a small town in Guatemala, the Christmas holiday officially begins with a very peculiar tradition that goes back three centuries. A three-story effigy of the devil is burned down in the town’s square, as locals and tourists gather for a cleansing ritual.

The idea is to start the New Year from the ashes, after burning away all the bad memories and experiences from the previous year. We leave you with a look at the Burning of the Devil.

Guatemalan tradition enlists Burning of the Devil

In a small town in Guatemala, the Christmas holiday officially begins with a very peculiar tradition that goes back three centuries. A three-story effigy of the devil is burned down in the town’s square, as locals and tourists gather for a cleansing ritual. The idea is to start the New Year from the ashes, after burning away all the bad memories and experiences from the previous year. We leave you with a look at the Burning of the Devil.