TITLE: The Feast of Black Nazarene in Manila

Every January, numerous pilgrims participate in the Feast of Black Nazarene in Manila, Philippines. The Black Nazarene is a life-size statue of a dark-skinned Jesus Christ carrying a cross. Throughout the grand procession, devotees are walking barefoot as a sign of humility and they are striving to touch the image of Black Nazarene with the belief of receiving a blessing or miracle. They associate their hardship and struggles in life to the wounds and sufferings experienced by Jesus Christ. Involvement in the procession can be considered risky because of possible injuries or even casualty brought upon by exhaustion, heat and stampede of congested crowd. For over four centuries, the Feast of Black Nazarene is one of the most meaningful religious celebrations in the Philippines with a hectic but festive environment which participated by devotees reaching up to 12 million.

AUTHOR: Jophel Ybiosa (Philippines)