#trapajones

Elaborate Costumes Photographed By Carlos González Ximénez At Spanish Festival

Trapajones are a vibrant part of the La Vijanera Spanish festival. The trapajones are characters that are dressed in natural materials such as moss, leaves, branches and are meant to represent the forces of nature. These bizarre costumes are designed to banish evil spirits and are popular during this pagan festival held in the town of Silió, Cantabria, on the first Sunday of each year. The celebration, which marks the winter solstice and the new year, is populated by these trapajones who are believed to be the guardians of nature. Associated with the harvest and seen as symbols of fertility and good luck, the trapajones are said to be able to commune with the animals and plants. 

Trapajones

The next in my pagan costume series comes from Spain and it takes part in the masquerade during the first Sunday of the year. The performance is supposed to ensure protection of cattle and men and ward of evil spirits.Their costumes can be made out of ivy, fern, moss or nut shells.