AFP, published Sunday 25 June 2023 at 05:20
To atone for their sins or to get a touch of adrenaline, dozens of parishioners wrestled with dried bull penises on Saturday, a four-century-old religious tradition in San Juan de Oriente in southern Nicaragua.
The ritual, called the “Chinegros” dance, took place on a street in front of the church in this city of 5,000 people, on the fringes of a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, Archbishop of Managua, in front of hundreds of the faithful. .
This Catholic festival with indigenous roots has been held between June 23rd and 26th for Saint-Jean-Baptiste since at least the 17th century.
After blackening their faces with charcoal, the men face off with “chilillo,” a whip made from a dried bull’s tail that leaves deep marks on the fighters’ bodies and arms. Strikes to the face and below the waist are forbidden, as is further hitting the opponent if he falls backwards.
“For me, it’s quite stress-relieving,” one of the participants, Isaac Norori, 39, told AFP. “I like it, I love it, I don’t know why, but I don’t want to say I’m a masochist.”
“The game may seem a little strong to those who aren’t used to it. But as you can see, it’s beautiful, it’s colorful, it’s something unique and very enjoyable to play,” commented Jefrey Vanegas, 23, for his part.
“This is a village of indigenous origin. The indigenous side has great influence, but so does the deep faith of these people,” said Cardinal Brenes.