Festival of breaking goose neck in Spain

At the St James festival, participants rode through the goose-hanging rope, grabbed their heads and ripped off the animal's body in search of 'honor and pride' for the family.

The St James festival of breaking goosenecks was held in El Carpio de Tajo village, Toledo province, Spain on July 25.

This festival originated from a military training exercise in the Middle Ages, when the Spaniards had to fight to free their homeland from the conquests of Muslims.

Participants in the festival wear traditional costumes, riding fast on a rope hanging from a goose. They grabbed the animal's head and snatched it from the body. In the past, the festival used live geese but in recent years replaced by dead geese.

The festival of breaking gooseneck is called St James.

However, that change is not enough to appease animal welfare organizations. These organizations oppose the festival and call this a bad thing.

PETA explains that geese have a lot of good properties that people should learn, such as loyalty to their partners. Geese will only pair their whole lives with a partner, take care of and protect its family.

However, the festival is still held because it is believed that the person who broke the goose head will bring 'honor and pride' to the family.

A large number of visitors attended the St James festival, held in the village of El Carpio de Tajo, Toledo province, Spain.

Both men and women were able to participate in the goose head.

This festival dates back to the Middle Ages.

A man laughed cheerfully as he successfully grabbed the head of the goose from his body.

Participants in horse racing, together trying to approach the goose.

The horses are also beautifully decorated.