Chapayeca knife

Description

Chapayeca knife, handle or hand made of cotton wood or rod of some other light wood tree. The blade is covered with white enamel and has a green geometric figure in the center, with a red tip and a natural-colored handle. There are two "versions" of this type of knives: those belonging to the corporals (children, young people or single people, adorned with images of sewa (flowers). The other type is the one shown in the image, which belongs to a main chapayeca , who in order to be one requires being married by the church, and the decoration of the knife is with images of triangles; the flowers that represent innocence become on the mask.

The red color at its end symbolizes the blood of Christ, because this ceremonial instrument is used by the Chapayecas or Pharisees who represent their executioners. The knife in conjunction with the sword has the function of marking the rhythm of the march of the chapayecas, when they make them collide with each other. Like all the attire of the chapayecas, these sticks have an evil character. Once they have fulfilled their function, they are burned along with the masks on Glory Saturday in the Judas bonfire, a purification ritual.