Holy Week in Quito: A Mosaic of Traditions and Devotion
In the city of Quito, Holy Week is more than a religious celebration; It is a fusion of ancient traditions, and a unique exhibition of our culture. The emblematic procession of “Jesús del Gran Poder” on Good Friday as well as other traditions of the city maintain the pre-Columbian influence that is intertwined with the festivities, and the oral traditions that tell the history of this sacred time, Holy Week in Quito is an event for your senses and emotions doesn´t matter if you are a local or visitor.
The Good Friday Procession for “Jesus del Gran Poder” (Jesus of the Great Power)
This procession is the most emblematic event of Holy Week in Quito when the streets of the city are filled with faithful who accompany the image of Jesus of the Great Power on its journey through the historic center. What makes this procession truly unique are the various characters that accompany it.
The “Cucuruchos,” dressed in purple tunics and pointed hoods, are omnipresent in the procession. These anonymous devotees carry heavy wooden crosses as an act of penance and devotion. The “Romans“, representing the soldiers who crucified Jesus, can also be seen with their armor and spears, adding a theatrical and dramatic aspect to the procession. Other characters, such as the “Verónicas” who show cloths with the image of Jesus printed, or the “Nazarenes” with white tunics and hoods, are also part of the faithful who participate for different reasons, to ask for the health of a loved one, to secure the forgiveness of their sins or for religious conviction.
The Relationship of Holy Week with Pre-Columbian Traditions in Ecuador
Holy Week in Quito also has deep roots in pre-Columbian traditions that have survived throughout the centuries. Before the arrival of Catholicism, indigenous cultures had their own ceremonies and rituals to celebrate fertility, renewal and the cycle of life and death especially at important cosmic moments such as the Equinoxes or full moon nights. These traditions merged with the Catholic religion during Spanish colonization, creating a unique and syncretic celebration of Holy Week. For example, in some indigenous communities, special ceremonies are held to give thanks for past harvests and ask for blessings for future ones during this time of year, showing a deep connection between ancestral beliefs and the Christian religion.
Oral Traditions and the preparation of “Fanesca”
In addition to processions and religious rituals, Holy Week in Quito is steeped in oral traditions in the form of myths or recipes for cooking Fanesca that have been transmitted from generation to generation. This emblematic dish of Ecuadorian gastronomy is not only a delight for the palate, but also a symbol of tradition and community. Its preparation combines a wide variety of ingredients, traditionally there must be 12 symbolically representing the 12 apostles of Jesus and our diversity, the result is a very delicious thick soup, special for being cooked only once a year in the celebration of Holy Week. . Furthermore, fanesca is a link with pre-Columbian indigenous traditions, since its consumption is rooted in ancient rituals of fertility and abundance. These traditions add a layer of mysticism and meaning to the celebration, further deepening the community’s emotional connection to this time of year.
Here in Quito, Holy Week is much more than a series of religious rituals; it is a vibrant, multifacetic celebration that combines Christian devotion with pre-Columbian traditions and oral stories passed down over time. It is a time to reflect, to connect with the divine and the earthly, and to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our country.
