Semana Santa Begins in Ayacucho, Peru

Today is known as ¨Viernes Dolores¨. Chicote or Tres Puntos is what some in Ayacucho call it. You might be saying to yourself, if you are in the United States right now, Semana Santa or Holy Week does not begin until Palm Sunday with the observance of the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. True for that culture, but in Ayacucho, Peru the week (of 9 days) begins today with the Friday of Pain (loose translation). The first procession will take place in the district of Magdelena. The processions will shift to Plaza de Armas or center of Ayacucho and will get much bigger and more elaborate as the week goes on. A float or representation of sorts will process among the people around the plaza in the center of Magadelena. There were fireworks last night and I am sure more to come. This week is a layering of Catholic and Quechua ritual, but mostly Catholic. The protestants or evangelicos, as they are known here, might go out to see what is going on, but it seems to be just another week here for them. I have sensesd this innate and very real fear and obstinance by Protestants to be thoguht of as Catholic, as though it were a plague or sin. It makes ecumenism virtually nonexistent here. That has been challenging for me to understand and navigate, especially because my work friends are a mix of Catholic and Protestant. For the Catholics, and the throngs of people who will come to Ayacucho (the other YAVS and ME!!) for this week (Wednesday is when it REALLY gets rolling) it is a HUGE deal. My compañera at work just explained to me why today is ¨Viernes Dolores¨ or the Friday of Pain, it also involves the Tres Puntos. She said when she was little, but it doesn´t happen in her family now, her dad would whack them, across the rear end, either three times or with some belt like thing with three pieces. (I am picturing a cat of nine tails like thing without the sharp edeges) The principle of this is that you share in the pain of Jesus being rejected by his people and crucified on the cross. My compañera said it still happens here, and not just with niños, but adults too. She also told me that out in the streets people have little slingshots and they shoot you in the rear end with them to share in the ¨Viernes Dolores.¨ I think I might pass on this Ayacuchano tradition, and so will my rear end.