Once a year in the village of Luzón, devils escape from the entrails of Mother Earth. EL PAÍS takes a tour around one of Spain’s most macabre traditional fiestas
A Luzón resident adjusts the horns of one of the devils during the celebrations.Jaime VillanuevaThe origins of the festival go back to the 14th century. Today, it is considered the best carnival celebration in the area.Jaime VillanuevaTwo devils patrol the streets of Luzón in search of passersby to cover in soot.Jaime VillanuevaA Luzón ‘devil’ silhouetted against the winter sky.Jaime VillanuevaThe devils descend on the village at sundown. The silence is broken by the sound of cowbells and the screams of people being chased by the dark silhouettes.Jaime VillanuevaThose who want to be left alone by the devils need to wear a costume or cover their faces with a small mask.Jaime VillanuevaThe celebration was on the brink of disappearing in the 1970s, but made a comeback in the late 1990s and attendance keeps growing every year.Jaime VillanuevaA devil walks down the streets of Luzón during carnival.Jaime VillanuevaThe devils are dressed entirely in black and carry large cowbells that ring to warn villagers that they are approaching.Jaime VillanuevaOne of the ‘mascaritas’ (little masks) awaits the devils’ arrival near her house.Jaime VillanuevaA little girl tries to protect herself from a devil.Jaime Villanueva
