Quote:
Originally posted by ltl/fb
What happens at your quasi-pagan ceremony?
Geez, now I'm getting all sniffly just thinking about Xmas services. And no, I really don't believe in a higher power.
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I'm not entirely sure what happens for part of it, because I'm not allowed in.
But, generally, the whole town shows up to the pueblo around four thirty or five, and starts gathering around the large stacks of wood that are piled in different areas around the plaza. Right before sunset, someone shows up with a torch and starts lighting the piles of wood (called luminaria). I think each family or clan in the pueblo has built a luminaria, but I'm not certain. Some are really tall, others not so much. The people milling around gravitate towards the fires because it's getting kinda cold. Since pretty much the whole town shows up, this is a good time to get gossip in, and a lot of people wear their nicest winter coats (there are a lot of fur, leather, and pendelton blanket-inspired coats).
About half an hour after sunset (give or take, it's an inexact science), the doors to the church open, and the town sort of gathers along an ad hoc processional route. At the front of the procession, there's a row of five to seven young(ish) men all holding rifles. At irregular and unpredictable intervals, they fire the rifles into the air. Next, old men in blankets chant and dance. They're followed by the Vrgin Mary, under a white canopy, high in the air on a litter. She's followed by more old men and women dancing and chanting. Bringing up the rear are the pueblo kids, singing. The people watching sort of tag on to the end of the line (if they're in for a walk and/or are willing to give up their space next to whatever fire they've joined) and follow along. The virgin is processed around the entire plaza, passing each of the luminarias, and eventually she makes it around to the church again.
