CASTRILLO DE MURCIA, SPAIN • HOLY CORPUS CHRISTI • EST. 1620

El Colacho: Leaping Devils of Northern Spain

In a small village in northern Spain, men dressed in red and yellow devil costumes vault over babies lying in the street. Here is why parents queue up to let devils jump their infants.

Spectators gathered in an old Spanish town square for traditional festival

The Meaning Behind the Leap

Organized by the Brotherhood of Santísimo Sacramento de Minerva since 1620, El Colacho takes place during Corpus Christi celebrations in Castrillo de Murcia. The central figure, known as "El Colacho", represents the devil who runs through the village holding a whip and a wooden rattle, taunting the villagers.

The climax occurs when all babies born in the village over the past year are placed gently on mattresses spread along the main procession path. El Colacho runs towards the mattresses, leaping cleanly over the infants in a dramatic jump.

Spiritual Cleansing and Protection

According to local belief, as the devil leaps over the babies, all original sin and evil spirits are absorbed into his suit, cleansing the children and granting them immunity against sickness and misfortune throughout their lives. Afterwards, petals are scattered over the babies by local priests and elders.