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The celebration of the Festival of The Black Christ began around 1821 in Portobello, Panama. I first encountered this religious tradition while doing Contemporary Theology back in Seminary. It appealed to my incurable interest in World religions and I’ve been fascinated since then. I had no idea that one day I would end up in Panama.
Around the end of September of my first year in Panama, I began to see purple clad adults and children everywhere in Colon and Panama City. They were too many to go unnoticed. Upon inquiry, I was reminded of the Festival of el Christo Negro. These were devotees of the Black Christ and they wear the purple robes in honor of him.
Although this religious tradition has historically been located among the Black Panamanians of Portobello, especially the Congos - this is by no means a ‘Blacks only’ celebration. This festival has been said to attract more than 50,000 pilgrims each year! I cannot imagine Portobello holding so many people.
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Every year, On January 15th, thousands of pilgrims from Guatemala, the United States, Europe and other Central American countries flock to pay homage to the dark wooden image of the crucified Christ, the most revered Catholic shrine in Esquipulas, the spiritual center of Central America. The image of the Black Christ dates back to March 9, 1595, when the Portuguese sculptor Quirio Cataño presented it to the mayor of the city. (source: Wikipediag.org)
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