EL SALVADOR: NEJAPA: ANNUAL FIRE BALL WAR FESTIVAL скачать в хорошем качестве

EL SALVADOR: NEJAPA: ANNUAL FIRE BALL WAR FESTIVAL

(2 Sep 1999) Spanish/Nat The village of Nejapa in El Salvador once again braced itself for the annual 'fire-ball war' festival. The spectacular 300-year old religious ceremony is carried out in honour of Saint Jerome - but there are many stories as to its origin. During a three-hour long 'battle', contestants fire 'fire-balls' at each other, some say as a reenactment of when the original village was destroyed by the Quezaltepec Volcano. Getting ready for battle. The fire-ball festival starts in the town's main square with a large barrel of fuel being filled with over nine-hundred 'balls' made of various textiles. These are then set alight and the town's warriors do battle, hurling the 'fire-balls' at one another. The fighters wear numerous layers of protective clothing including gloves. They also soak themselves in water. An estimated 400 men - the majority between 14 and 30 - then engage in a mock battle on the streets of Nejapa. Many of the town's young also dress up and paint themselves with menacing, garish colours. For the population of the town, 14-kilometres north of the capital San Salvador, the annual 'fire-ball' ceremony is an important cultural event. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) "It's a great joy and pride for us especially the young. It's a tradition that's endured for so long." SUPER CAPTION: Rene Avila, Festival participant SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) "We feel emotional, happy, it's part of who we are" SUPER CAPTION: Lucio Aguirre, Festival participant Many visitors and tourists also make their way to Nejapa to join in the fun and games. The festival is a 300-year old tradition that is dedicated to the patron saint of the town, Saint Jerome. But there are many differing versions of its origin. Some say the festival started when the Quezaltepec volcano exploded, destroying the original village. Villagers escaped the fire-balls that rained on the town, carrying a statue of Saint Jerome, who they say took them to safety. Others believe the festival is a reenactment of the day Saint Jerome confronted demons who attempted to burn down the village. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) "When the volcano exploded in 1700, the Indigenous people came to establish Nejapa here and they brought San Jeronimo with them." SUPER CAPTION: Ana Sanchez, Festival participant SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) "Nobody can say with certitude when it all began. We came...we're part of this city. They say here that the village was originally destroyed by fire and so every year we have the festival - and it'll be maintained forever." SUPER CAPTION: Rene Canjura, Mayor of Nejapa Amazingly - competitors are rarely injured. For locals the event is an important occasion, giving them a place in the rich cultural heritage of El Salvador. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...