Easter week in Setenil de las Bodegas

Easter week in Setenil de las Bodegas is one of the most unusual in the province of Cádiz, declared of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia. This Easter week is picturesque because of the steep hill on which the village is located and the narrow streets, some partially covered or even roofed by the mountain's rock, as a maze of stone and lime. During this Easter week there is a devotion that constitutes a true religious and aesthetic ritual.

Walking through the streets of Setenil is so difficult because of its urban architecture, that some brotherhoods must momentarily take apart the float to be able to pass through some point along their way, although they minimise the size of the throne and the number of float bearers.

The main feature is the rivalry between two of the brotherhoods, Santa Vera Cruz, known as "The Whites”, which dates back to 1551, and Nuestro Padre Jesús known as The Blacks, which was founded after splitting between 1782 and 1863. Of course, these “nicknames” refer to the colour of the costumes worn by the penitent brothers.

Both brotherhoods are involved in a dispute to show who is more sumptuous, and their competition to bring the best band, the so-called “war of bands” is well known. Being the best is so important, that they have even brought large bands from the UK, the U.S. and other countries.

Not only do they compete for the best band, but also for the best mantilla or the largest number of penitents in the brotherhoods.

The two brotherhoods organise several processions from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday, featuring their images, some of them accompanied by the Legion.

The Whites and the Blacks are veritable semicommunal brotherhoods that anthropologically divide the village into two parts: being white or black depends on who your parents follow. Usually, men are members of the brotherhood to which the father belongs, while women are members of the brotherhood to which the mother belongs.