Spain's Endiablada festival

If you live in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado, the devil you see may be the devil you know.

The town has celebrated the "Endiablada" (Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals each Feb. 2-3 since at least since medieval times.

In it, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuits and red miter hats. Donning large, heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly, they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery.

The two holidays are celebrated in similar fashion although their origins are different.

The Feb. 2 procession, the "Candelaria," represents the Virgin Mary presenting the baby Jesus to authorities in the temple 40 days after Christmas. The protocol is believed to have caused her some embarrassment and the accompanying bell-clanging characters are thought to be a way of diverting the public's attention.

The Feb. 3 procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with a nearby town to keep the effigy, ringing the bells of their animals in celebration.

Here's a gallery of images from this year's festivals by photographer Daniel Ochoa de Olza.

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Aniceto Rodrigo, 78, Diablo Mayor or 'greater devil', adjusts his mitre inside his home before walking around the village during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 3 day procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with folk from a nearby town to keep the effigy and rang the bells of their animals in celebration. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Aniceto Rodrigo, 78, Diablo Mayor or 'greater devil', checks the weather as he leaves his home before walking around the village during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 3 day procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with folk from a nearby town to keep the effigy and rang the bells of their animals in celebration. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Members of the Endiablada brotherhood dance during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 3 day procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with folk from a nearby town to keep the effigy and rang the bells of their animals in celebration. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

A member of the Endiablada brotherhood poses for a picture during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. During the Endiablada, or 'The Brotherhood of the Devils' believers dressed in colorful costumes, wearing a red mitre and big copper cowbells hanging tied to their waists make lot of noise as they walk, dance or jump around streets if the tiny village, and during its procession, in front of the a sculpture depicting the Virgin or the Saint. In the "Endiablada", is a tradition that has survived through the centuries in honor of the Candelaria's Virgin and San Blas. Candelaria, refers to the Jewish protocol, in which the Virgin Mary had to present her new baby, Jesus, to the temple, forty days after his birth. In the Catholic teachings, it is said that this action caused the Virgin Mary great anxiety and shame because of the public knowledge of the unusual circumstances of Jesusís birth. La Endiablada brotherhood with their noisy bells are said to be trying to divert the publicís attention so that the Virgin Mary could fulfill her obligation and avoid suffering such embarrassment and shame. The connection of the dancing 'diablos' to San Blas has another explanation, according to a local legend shepherds found an image of San Blas, a miraculous event took place and they understood to be a sign that the saint was meant to stay in Almonacid. As a sign of their joy the shepherds rang the bells of their cattle so giving La Endiablada their famous cowbells. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

A woman looks as members of the Endiablada brotherhood march during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 3 day procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with folk from a nearby town to keep the effigy and rang the bells of their animals in celebration. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

A member of the Endiablada brotherhood walks the streets during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. During the Endiablada, or 'The Brotherhood of the Devils' believers dressed in colorful costumes, wearing a red mitre and big copper cowbells hanging tied to their waists make lot of noise as they walk, dance or jump around streets if the tiny village, and during its procession, in front of the a sculpture depicting the Virgin or the Saint. In the "Endiablada", is a tradition that has survived through the centuries in honor of the Candelaria's Virgin and San Blas. Candelaria, refers to the Jewish protocol, in which the Virgin Mary had to present her new baby, Jesus, to the temple, forty days after his birth. In the Catholic teachings, it is said that this action caused the Virgin Mary great anxiety and shame because of the public knowledge of the unusual circumstances of Jesusís birth. La Endiablada brotherhood with their noisy bells are said to be trying to divert the publicís attention so that the Virgin Mary could fulfill her obligation and avoid suffering such embarrassment and shame. The connection of the dancing 'diablos' to San Blas has another explanation, according to a local legend shepherds found an image of San Blas, a miraculous event took place and they understood to be a sign that the saint was meant to stay in Almonacid. As a sign of their joy the shepherds rang the bells of their cattle so giving La Endiablada their famous cowbells. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Members of the Endiablada brotherhood gather during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 3 day procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with folk from a nearby town to keep the effigy and rang the bells of their animals in celebration. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Members of the Endiablada brotherhood march during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 3 day procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with folk from a nearby town to keep the effigy and rang the bells of their animals in celebration. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

A woman looks from her home as members of the Endiablada brotherhood march past during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 3 day procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with folk from a nearby town to keep the effigy and rang the bells of their animals in celebration. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Members of the Endiablada brotherhood pause before walking around the village during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 3 day procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with folk from a nearby town to keep the effigy and rang the bells of their animals in celebration. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Members of the Endiablada brotherhood joke during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 3 day procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with folk from a nearby town to keep the effigy and rang the bells of their animals in celebration. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Aniceto Rodrigo, 78, Diablo Mayor or 'greater devil', center, leads the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 3 day procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with folk from a nearby town to keep the effigy and rang the bells of their animals in celebration. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Members of the Endiablada brotherhood leave the church during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 3 day procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with folk from a nearby town to keep the effigy and rang the bells of their animals in celebration. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

In this Feb. 2, 2015 picture, a member of the Endiablada brotherhood walks trough the cemetery after paying respect to their deceased fellow believers and relatives during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 2 procession, the "Candelaria" (Candlemas), represents the Virgin Mary presenting baby Jesus to authorities in the temple 40 days after Christmas. The protocol is believed to have caused her some embarrassment and the accompanying bell-clanging characters are thought to be a way of diverting the publicís attention. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

In this Feb. 2, 2015 picture, members of the Endiablada brotherhood pray for the deceased fellow believers and relatives during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 2 procession, the "Candelaria" (Candlemas), represents the Virgin Mary presenting baby Jesus to authorities in the temple 40 days after Christmas. The protocol is believed to have caused her some embarrassment and the accompanying bell-clanging characters are thought to be a way of diverting the publicís attention. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Members of the Endiablada brotherhood clean an image depicting Saint Blas inside the church during the 'Endiablada' traditional festival in Almonacid Del Marquesado, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. The "Endiablada" (The Brotherhood of the Devils) festivals are celebrated each Feb. 2-3 in the central Spanish town of Almonacid del Marquesado since medieval times or before. In the festival, men from the town dress up as devil-type characters in colorful jumpsuit costumes and red miter hats. They don large heavy copper cowbells around their waists, which clang incessantly as they walk, dance and jump through the town's winding streets and visit the cemetery. The Feb. 3 day procession commemorates the day of Saint Blas. According to a local legend, town shepherds found a statue of the saint and then won a competition with folk from a nearby town to keep the effigy and rang the bells of their animals in celebration. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

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See the full collection of Spain's Endiablada Festival by Daniel Ochoa de Olza

Text from the AP news story, AP PHOTOS: Spain celebrates twin festivals of the devils. 

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