This Mexican Must-See Event is the Best and Most Bizarre Easter Tradition in San Miguel de Allende and the World
Surprisingly, Easter Sunday in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico isn’t completely steeped in traditional Catholic religious traditions. Nor is it the egg-hiding, sugar-overloading holiday of a magical globe-hopping rabbit commercialized by Mexico’s neighbors on the north side of The Wall.
Actually, the Semana Santa (Holy Week) event that is a San Miguel de Allende “Best,” is an explosive ceremony staged in the main historic city square called “Burning of the Judas” (Quema de Judas). This ancient Easter season ritual involves the hanging, and then the destruction, of elaborate larger-than-life tissue paper effigies depicting unpopular contemporary political figures, celebrities, or any other well-known “Judas” who walks among us. One by one, these paper puppet symbols of corruption, malfeasance, betrayal, and general evil-doing are booed and then blown up to the cheers and laughter of onlookers.
And yes, it’s as preposterous and hilarious as it sounds.
The Blast is from the Past
The Burning of Judas dates back to the Middle Ages in Europe. Originally it was about celebrating triumph over evil and betrayal, symbolized by Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus. Though Judas purportedly hung himself over the agony of his own betrayal, the ongoing tradition found that hanging a Judas effigy was not nearly as exciting or cathartic as watching one burn. Or blow up. Or both.
The organizers and participants in the Judas burning tradition believed that with the destruction of these Judas-inspired figures, they were purging their towns of the bad juju of the past and replacing it with pure positive energy for the future. Apparently religious beliefs and prayer needed some additional assistance from a weird annual ritual to keep a town and its people safe and free.
So Many Judases, So Little Time
The meaning of the Burning of Judas ritual has expanded substantially over time. At its origin, the Burning of Judas events included only one or two characters. That was, Judas Iscariot specifically, and/or an evil devilish character in general. As the Burning of the Judas event evolved, the longstanding tradition in San Miguel de Allende has veered away from the traditional and taken on a unique life of its own. This can be credited at least in part to the support of a strong American and Canadian expat community in San Miguel.
Even though the Quema de Judas ritual is largely a Mexican tradition with European roots, it’s not unusual to see Judas figures from the U.S. and Canada included in the explosive Burning of Judas ceremony in San Miguel de Allende. The sentiments of the U.S. and Canadian expats in San Miguel seemingly lean liberal, but that doesn’t mean you would never see a liberal gringo Judas effigy meet its demise alongside an ultraconservative political rival. And both would receive crowd approval when they meet their symbolic demise.
This San Miguel “Best” is Arguably One of the Biggest
One notorious Combover Politician, however, has been an undeniable crowd favorite for the past decade, unifying people from all nationalities behind the desire to purify their piece of the world from his presence and influence. The demand for basic decent human behavior trumps borders… you get it…
The San Miguel de Allende Burning of the Judas event seems to be one of the largest of the traditional Quema de Judas event actively happening in the world today. That’s if you measure by the number of Judas effigies that are blown up and/or the number of spectators that gather to observe it.
Staged in the shadow of the San Miguel’s iconic Parroquia cathedral, as crowds of locals and tourists gather to view the bizarre Judas ritual, traditional Easter services are happening inside the Parroquia and church bells are ringing. So, it’s not like the San Miguel city and church officials aren’t aware that it’s happening.
The San Miguel version of the Burning of Judas event is actually very well organized, and a large troupe of volunteers in official Judas logo t-shirts facilitates the festivities.
Judas Resistance to the Judas Ritual
That’s surprising since the Burning of Judas tradition has died out throughout the centuries due to political suppression under the guise of “safety.” Is it really that the political leaders who have quashed the Easter season Quema de Judas events are concerned for the safety of their beloved constituents who willingly participate in the the irreverent spectacle? Or is it that these political leaders have big egos and an even bigger resistance to being ridiculed publicly and allowing people with common grievances to gather and unify behind their social discontentment?
Hmmmm… that’s a tough one to figure out.
For now, San Miguel de Allende is fortunate that their tourism-centric culture still judges the Burning Judas Easter event to have more benefit as a tourist magnet than detriment to the reputations of the politicians who benefit from the city’s thriving tourist economy.
If the all-in-good fun laughter and camaraderie of San Miguel’s Judas burnings should ever shift to serious protest, however, it’s likely that San Miguel’s leaders would suppress the ritual as well, for the sake of those same valuable tourist dollars.
Ready to See the Judases Explode?
What a fun tradition! Those souvenir t-shirts are awesome too. If I was in the area, I would definitely go to this.
YES – You may want to make it a point to be in the San Miguel de Allende area for the entire Semana Santa (Holy Week) time. They have SO many unique events and rituals. And YES – I was shocked that no one was selling those t-shirts especially since Mexican people are very resourceful and entrepreneurial!
How hilarious! Actually, the other day someone was telling me about this tradition (I live in Mexico) but did not once mention it was the burning of Saint Judas. After the explanation of the event, I compared it with a similar activity that happens in Spain for San Juan (Summer Solstice Festival), we burn a person who has been “tedious” that year. I wonder if the event here in Mexico is related to the one in Spain…
It’s very likely that the event in Spain is at least inspired by the Burning of the Judas (Quema de Judas in Spanish) event since Spain and Mexico were/are the two major locations for the event throughout history. I think it’s hilarious that the Spain burning is someone “tedious.” SO many to choose from in that category!
Burning of Judas effigies on Easter Sunday in San Miguel de Allende is definitely a bizarre tradition. Not at all what I was expecting! I find it fascinating how traditions and symbolisms evolve.
This is definitely an “evolved” ritual! And absolutely absurd and hilarious! San Miguel de Allende is truly a unique little part of the world!
Amazing tradition! Somehow I like the idea of burning famous figures (especially politicians). Need to add this town and event to my wish list for future
It is truly THE most unique, bizarre, and hilarious event I’ve ever experienced anywhere in the world. And I’m a full-time traveler! I would definitely recommend San Miguel de Allende for the entire Easter Week. SO many unusual events happen at that time!
This is super bizarre indeed! It reminded me of something I saw on a show many years ago (Karl Pilkington’s “An Idiot Abroad”). I think he did an Easter in Mexico as well – as it was just SOOOOO out of this world in like, the most spectacular ways! Did you enjoy yourself??
Best. Time. Ever. I just laugh and laugh because the whole thing is so preposterous and hilarious!
I had never heard of this! Thanks for bringing such a great cultural insight.
I had never heard of it either until I visited San Miguel. I am told that 30 years ago if there was 100 people watching it, that was a big turnout. Hard to believe now!
So aptly named, this is bizarre. I see San Miguel. does it with zest.
That is so true! Whatever San Miguelians do, they do with commitment!