Discover Spain's largest exorcism ceremony

The Spanish people believe that the exorcism El Colacho helps one-year-olds stay away from evil spirits and will later have a better life.

The biggest exorcism ceremony in Spain

Since 1621, on the first Sunday of June every year, people in the village of Castrillo de Murcia, near Burgos, northern Spain, organize a unique, large-scale exorcism.

In this ceremony called El Colacho, the chosen men who play the evil role will wear red and gold costumes, on a mission to jump over the mattress, on which placed about 4-5 babies over one year old.Villagers believe that this action will bring blessings, ward off evil spirits, and children will have a good life.

This exorcism festival takes place in the village square.Men who play demons will take the momentum and jump over the baby.Besides, a group of men in black shirts will stand next to each other and drumming loudly.Their parents said this was a way to purify the child.They also view this festival as a journey of good over evil.

The festival has been going on for centuries, so far there has been no announcement of the number of injuries children face when participating in Spain's largest child exorcism festival.However, El Colacho is still considered a festival with many risks.Unable to abdicate, Pope Benedict XVI once called on the church and priests in Spain not to participate in this dangerous festival.

The population of the village is only 500 people, but its unique festival has "helped" to attract many visitors.

According to the beliefs of the Spanish people, this is also a form of blessing for newborn babies.However, priests encourage people to bless their children in a common and safer way.It is participating in the baptism in the church.

Before the ceremony, the people in yellow clothes also chased after the villagers and beat them.This year's El Colacho festival takes place on June 7.