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The museum exhibits photos, models, clothing, lamps, and other elements used in the festivity held in Remedios, which is a popular celebration that is held every year and it is a deeply rooted tradition in the area. History on the famous festivity of Remedios. The revels originated in the Christmas season of 1820, when, on seeing few parishioners in his church, the local priest was driven to the expedient of sending a bunch of boys out at 2:00 in the morning on December 16 to beat on wooden rattles, cowbells and other kinds of bells to rouse the people and call them to Mass.
No records have come down to us reporting on how effective the measure may have been, but the practice has been repeated, year after year, during the Christmas season. The town is divided into two areas, and the people living in each one go to wake up those in the other. Two main groups always compete in the revels: the Carmelitas (from the El Carmen neighborhood) and the Sansaríes (who live in San Salvador).
Both groups claim victory at the end of the festivities-and start right in preparing for the contest to be held the following year. As the people say, "Revelers spend 364 and a half days each year saving up their energy-and use it all up in less than 12 hours." |
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