Alfombras - Carpets for Jesus

We've already mentioned alfombras in previous posts, but I wanted to explain further what they are and how they are made. Toby and I had the pleasure of viewing many amazing alfombras during lent and Semana Santa. We were even fortunate enough to help make one with the Guatemalans and students at Probigua (Toby's school).

First off, alfombra is the Spanish word for carpet. These "carpets" are made out of many different materials and usually are very brightly colored. Their purpose is to provide a beautiful walkway for Jesus and Mary as they are carried along on the anda during the procession. Only the people in the procession walk over the alfombras (luck Toby!) because everyone else is very respectful of the labor and artistic energy put into the alfombra made for Jesus. The process consists first of watering down the area in the street where the alfombra is to be made. Then either strings or boards make the shape of the alfombra so it can be lined up and even. Next depending on whether you are making an alfombra with pine needles and flowers or (aserrin) dyed sawdust your work will head in different directions. (Note: a lot of preparation work happens before making alfombras because the plain sawdust must be dyed all the different colored and flowers need to be trimmed de-stemmed, etc.) The sawdust alfombras usually have a thick layer of sand or dirt smoothed out straight before the colored designed is created. Many people then use different hand carved stencils and strainers to sprinkle on sawdust in their chosen pattern. Please understand that this is a VERY time-consuming activity, taking many hours, that people put their heart and soul into during the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter. The most are made during Semana Santa when there are processions every single day, and people working hard making alfombras in the street. The flower alfombras can be done somewhat quicker, but the really detailed ones look better and take more time. They usually are made with a combination of flowers, flower petals, pine needles, and other materials.


Other unusual and occasional styles of alfombras seen are ones made entirely of produce. Sometimes fruit or veggies are used as accessory decorations in alfombras, but other times they make the entire alfombra. It looks like the market with cucumbers, cabbages, lettuce, carrots, avocados and more arranged in a design. Lots of people snag these things after the procession has walked by to take home.

On Good Friday (Viernes Santo) Toby and I woke up at 3 in the morning to go and start work on the alfombra we helped make. The procession from the La Merced church leaves at 5 am and so we needed time to work on it before that procession started. Tons of other people were out in the streets, some working all night long making alfombras. The really serious all-nighter teams set up lights, play music, wear custom team t-shirts and work away! It's such a fun time walking around and appreciating everyone's artwork and experiencing the festivity of it all....for Jesus Christ too! It was nice to see people admiring and photographing our work as well. =)

Very soon we will be sending out a link to all our Semana Santa and Cuaresma pictures. You'll be able to view a bundle of alfombras and us making an alfombra as well as processional photos, Toby carrying, and much more. Stay tuned..... For now, the ones above are Toby and I with the alfombra we made, and the La Merced anda walking over our alfombra. We are also happy to answer any questions regarding these alfombras, the significance of the processions, etc.