Mexican town celebrates Easter with ‘burning of the Jews’

[WKUHilltopper]

Just--wow! Maybe they ought to have the UN go to Mexico instead of FL?

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Mexican town celebrates Easter with ‘burning of the Jews’

A small Chiapas town ends its Holy Week observance by parading Jewish effigies through the streets, then setting them on fire

By Nathan Burstein April 10, 2012, 6:28 pm


The world is full of charming Easter traditions, but this isn’t one of them.

A newspaper in Mexico is detailing Sunday’s “burning of the Jews,” an annual tradition in Coita, a small town in the state of Chiapas. As part of the custom, locals spend the middle of their Holy Week making Jewish effigies — a reference to Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus before his crucifixion.

The fake Jews are then displayed for three days in different parts of the town, serving as an example of poor conduct.

They’re ultimately paraded through the streets on Easter Sunday, with local children assigned to stand in front of them and collect money for flammable materials.

The article notes that the tradition differs in Coita, where locals set fire to the effigies on Easter itself, rather than the day before, as in other towns. The burning is followed by a dance, where locals eat a corn treat made with cocoa. The article says the custom “strengthens” the culture of the Zoque, an indigenous people in southern Mexico who were converted to Catholicism.

The ceremony seems to echo, to some extent, the “Running of the Jew” event depicted in Sacha Baron Cohen’s 2006 movie “Borat” — a work of fiction.

The Chiapas Herald takes an uncritical view of the ritual, reporting that it “fosters unity and respect” and “purifies the soul.”

Mexican town celebrates Easter with 'burning of the Jews' | The Times of Israel

[livin_in_the_Son]

Wow! But in all reality, is this any different from the churches that preach replacement theology? Or the people who claim the holocaust is a lie? God help them, because they will answer for this....

(Something to remember though, Mexico is predominately catholic)

[WKUHilltopper]

Wow! But in all reality, is this any different from the churches that preach replacement theology? Or the people who claim the holocaust is a lie? God help them, because they will answer for this....

(Something to remember though, Mexico is predominately catholic)

Just be glad we've got such a strong immigration policy and a federal government willing to enforce it. Otherwise, we'd have an open door to a dirt ignorant and depraved culture. Good thing they're watching out for us in DC.

[livin_in_the_Son]

Just be glad we've got such a strong immigration policy and a federal government willing to enforce it. Otherwise, we'd have an open door to a dirt ignorant and depraved cultureGood thing they're watching out for us in DC.

I know you meant no disrespect, but please tread lightly as my husband (and therefore my children) are Mexican. People of all ethnicities have committed atrocities in the eyes of the Lord.

[WKUHilltopper]

No...disrespect intended. My nephew is from Mexican decent--however, he's an American. But this means nothing to me where someone comes from--just like I'm not German, Scot, Cherokee or whatever else is coursing in my veins.

My biggest complaint is the national government fails to enforce the laws and only does so when it is convenient.

[SonSeeker]

No...disrespect intended. My nephew is from Mexican decent--however, he's an American. But this means nothing to me where someone comes from--just like I'm not German, Scot, Cherokee or whatever else is coursing in my veins.

My biggest complaint is the national government fails to enforce the laws and only does so when it is convenient.

Agree 100%, Hilltopper.

In our history, some president, I'm guessing Teddy Roosevelt, said something to the effect that there is no such thing as a German-American, Mexican-American, or even African-American. You're either an American or you are not.

Well over 90% of the population in the US can trace their lineage to some other country. Yet the vast majority of us consider ourselves as American.

This country is the most "welcoming" country in the world, and more people emigrate here than any other country in the world. All this country asks is to be a part of us, not apart from us. And, please knock at the front door, and it will be opened; but crawling under the back fence cannot be tolerated.

[RanYakumo]

Well, isn't that the most charming Easter ritual I've ever seen...

[livin_in_the_Son]

No...disrespect intended. My nephew is from Mexican decent--however, he's an American. But this means nothing to me where someone comes from--just like I'm not German, Scot, Cherokee or whatever else is coursing in my veins.

My biggest complaint is the national government fails to enforce the laws and only does so when it is convenient.

My mistake....I thought the OP was about people IN Mexico, not the US immigration laws.