Original object (physical):
Dimensions: 92 X 5 X 4 cm.
Wood technique
Description
Chapayeca sword made of cotton wood or rod of some other light wood tree. The blade is covered with white enamel and geometric shapes of different colors, with a red tip and a natural-colored handle. There are two "versions" of this type of swords: those belonging to the corporals (children, young people or single people, decorated with images of flowers (sewa). The other type is the one shown in the image, which belongs to a main chapayeca , who to be one requires being married by the church, and the decoration of the sword is with images of triangles; the flowers 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 sword, together with the knife, 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.
Sonoran Institute of Culture
Casanova, Juan (photography)
Buitimea Flores, Teodoro; Ruiz Félix, José María (investigation)
Valencia, Carlos ; The Yaqui Pride Project (translation to english)
License
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