Cascamorras — Festival Celebrated in Spain

According to legend, the
origin of “La Fiesta del Cascamorras” can be traced back to 1490, when
Don Luis de Acuña Herrera decided to built the Church of Mercy in the
town of Baza, where a Moazarabic mosque had previously been erected.
While chiseling a block of plaster, Juan Pedernal, a worker from the
nearby town of Guadix, heard a soft, soothing voice coming from inside a
cavern, which said “Have mercy!”. Upon examining the cavity he stumbled
upon a statue of the Virgin Mary, that came to be known as “Our Lady of
Mercy”. More images and video after the break...

You would think finding a miraculous statue was a joyful event
for everyone, but in reality, its discovery caused turmoil between the
towns of Baza and Guadix. After the two towns argued about the ownership
of Our Lady of Mercy, courts of the time decided the statue would
remain in Baza, while rights to host celebrations on every September 8th
be given to the people of Guadix. It was also agreed that if ever a
commissioner from Guadix would enter the town of Baza and reach the
Church of Mercy without getting stained by locals, he would be allowed
to take the holystatue to his home town.

And that takes us to the modern Festival of Cascamorras. The
first Cascamorras was builder Juan Pedernal, and every year since his
first attempt to recover thestatue he discovered, his place has been
taken by other locals from Guadix. Every September 8th, the people of
Guadix journey to Baza to hold the religious festivities that were
awarded to them, 500 years ago. Every time, their chosen Cascamorras
tries to reach Baza church unstained, but as all the young people of
Baza await him covered in black paint, it’s no wonder in five centuries
time no Cascamorras has ever reached his goal.

As soon as the Guadix pilgrims approach Guadix, their
Cascamorras is assaulted by hundreds of youngsters covered in black
paint, and gets smeared with the oily substance. What’s even worse, the
Cascamorras gets the same kind treatment from his own people, upon
returning to Guadix. As punishment for not being able to retrieve Our
Lady of Mercy, the Cascamorras cover him in different kinds of paint. Via Link