Spanish town paints it black over medieval feud
Of all the sometimes bizarre summer festivals held in Spain, the Cascamorras event is probably the darkest.
Some 15,000 participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada.
The frenzied but good-natured fight is a re-enactment of a 15th-century feud between two villages. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. He is dressed up like a harlequin.
People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. It's a colorful event, even in black.
The paint, which is not harmful to people or the environment, is provided by the town council for what is a major tourist attraction.
Bboys painted with black grease celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
People painted with black grease celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A woman painted with black grease smiles as she takes part at the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Boys painted with black grease celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
People painted with black grease celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A couple painted with black grease kiss each other as they take part at the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
People painted with black grease gather on top of a hill as they take part in the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
People painted with black grease celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Text from the AP News Story, AP PHOTOS: Spanish town paints it black over medieval feud
Photos and Text by Manu Fernandez
