Burning the Devil
Burning the Devil or La Quema del Diablo is a Guatemalan tradition held every December 7, at 6:00 in the evening sharp, families build bonfires outside their homes. All the useless redundant articles and garbage is dumped out in piles on the street and a big bonfire is lit with an effigy of the devil himself to boot. Black smoke and soot fill the air, but it is believed that the devil and all evil spirits are eradicated by burning them down. Firecrackers are also burnt to boot!
La quema del diablo can be traced to colonial time, a tradition that started since the 18th century. Held on the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and as a prelude to holiday season, those who could afford it adorned the fronts of their houses with lanterns, but for those who have lesser means began bonfires of their garbage to celebrate the occasion. A symbolical tradition that the fire which burns the devil serves as purifying element, as the Virgin Mary was the blessed one to conceive baby Jesus must be free from any form of evil, therefore the event served as “burning the devil” to clear the way for Mary’s feast. Over time the tradition evolved, from burning piles of garbage and pieces of furniture were replaced by the effigy of Satan in a form of piñatas.
The idea is to burn all the bad from the previous year and to start anew from the ashes. Throughout the country, The Devil is burned at the stroke of six. In Antigua, the first former capital of the country, a devil three stories tall is constructed and burned in the city square.
This Tradition reminds me the burning of the veil of shame, it is the same concept. So if you feel like doing a cleansing this year, remember this old tradition and burn all demons December 7th at 6pm.
