Los Escobazos in Jarandilla de la Vera 2024, Spain

Los Escobazos is an amazing festival that takes place every year in winter. This festival is all about traditions and legends that are very important to locals. These traditions dictate that people should celebrate the Immaculate Conception by hitting each other with brooms on fire.

Festival Highlights

Locals march through the city streets shouting "Viva" to the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, accompanied by the sounds of a drum. After that, people start to prepare their brooms. They do this very quickly before the night falls. As soon as it gets dark, they light their brooms and begin to hit each other. The picture is spectacular—the streets are full of fire and light. No one is hurt, as you cannot hit another person above the waist. The party continues throughout the night between bonfires of family and groups of friends who take advantage of the celebration to try wines and typical products of the area.

Origins of the Tradition

According to oral tradition, the origin of the Fiesta de los Escobazos in Jarandilla de la Vera dates back centuries to the goatherds and shepherds who, after tending to their cattle in the mountains, descended to celebrate the Day of the Immaculate Conception. To ensure they arrived in time for the festivities, these shepherds began their descent under the cover of night.

The journey was fraught with challenges, particularly due to the lack of light. To navigate safely, they devised a solution by crafting torches from the brooms they found in the area. Thus, the tradition of the "escobazos" was born, with these brooms serving as both a source of light and a symbol of celebration.

Upon their arrival in the village, their relatives and neighbors greeted them with enthusiasm, expressing their joy by playfully striking each other with lit brooms, marking the beginning of a lively and spirited celebration.

Location

This captivating and distinctive festival takes place annually on December 7th in Jarandilla de la Vera, Spain. Nestled in the province of Cáceres within the Community of Extremadura, Jarandilla de la Vera is home to approximately 3,000 residents. The town is part of the Comarca de la Vera, a region renowned for its significant contribution to Spain's tobacco production.