In Braga, which has been a diocese since the 3rd century, religion continues to play a dominant role at the heart of the community, and religious ceremonies are celebrated with great fervour. The most splendid of these is Easter.
The city is decorated with Holy Week motifs and the "Passos", or street altars, are filled with flowers and lights, complementing the sumptuousness of the churches.
Out of all the Easter rituals, we particularly recommend the Procession that features the Farricocos. The Farricocos, barefooted men dressed in purple tunics tightened at the waist, hooded and carrying torches, are a reminder of the practice of the reconciliation of public penitents that took place up until the 15th century.
Since the 15th century, the Misericórdia of Braga has continued the tradition in the form of the Ecce Homo Procession, which is held at night.
On the Thursday night of Holy Week, the house and city lights would be turned off while the Farricocos illuminated the streets with torches and went around denouncing the sins and slanders of the residents.
They then remained in the street while the Procession passed by, slowly and silently, as a mark of religious mourning. |