Los empalaos

Los Empalaos de Valverde of Vera' (caceres, Spain) are anonym penitents that in the silence of dawn on Good Friday, traverse the streets of Valverde. Barefooted men, with a petticoat in white hemp charge in their shoulders a plough's wood attached with large cords that spiral their arms until it bites and paralyses their chest. At the arms ends three large iron rings are hung, called "vilortas" identical to those used to pull the plough. The severe iron tinkle is the only sound allowed during the long walk of the "Empalao" on his "Via Crucis". Covering the face falls a white lace veil finished with a spine crown. This is how the "Empalao" becomes anonymous, they seek neither fame nor heroism, only their penitence, several times washed in tears and blood.