En esta TRADICIÓN los hombres SE VISTEN DE MUJER Y TE GOLPEAN😰| DÍA DE LA CANDELARIA 🇻🇪

Would you take a hit for a blessing? 😱 We traveled deep into the Venezuelan Andes, specifically to El Playón in the Mérida Valley, to experience one of the most colorful, intense, and faith-filled celebrations in Venezuela: the homage to the Virgin of Candelaria. 🇻🇪✨ In this vlog, we show you the entire journey, beginning on January 18th with the caravan and the preceding festivities. It's not just a celebration for the Virgin; here, devotion is intertwined with the Child of Atocha and Saint Benedict of Palermo. What will you see in this video? On January 18th, we were at the caravan that kicks off the festivities, where we took the opportunity to explain what this tradition entails. 📍 Full Itinerary: How the town organizes itself from January until the big day (February 2nd). 🎙️ Exclusive Interviews: We spoke with the board of directors and devotees with decades of faith. We talked with organizers, attendees, and costumed participants who, out of a promise, keep this culture alive. 🎭 Explanation of the tradition of the vassals: The Madmen of La Candelaria. 🥊 The Mystery of the Blows: We explain why this ritual is performed and how the participants perceive it. Our intention (and please excuse our ambition and heartfelt desire) is for every Venezuelan to feel proud of their roots and for the world to fall in love with the energy of our Andean peoples. If you like our content, SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications! 🔔 Video Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 00:09 January 18th Tradition in Mérida 01:43 What is the tradition about? 02:20 Itinerary before Candlemas Day 03:34 Why attend the Candlemas procession? 03:51 How old is the tradition of the Virgin of Candelaria? 04:38 Traditional Andean Music 04:58 Arrival of the Virgin at the chapel 05:39 Promises of the devotees to the Virgin 06:29 About the Raising of the Christ Child 06:35 Why can't the Nativity scene be taken down before February 2nd? 07:14 Traditional dance of the Virgin 08:05 More than a spiritual tradition, it's a cultural tradition 08:36 Why are the streets blocked in Mérida? 09:26 Devotees with decades of faith 10:49 Why do the devotees shout like that? 11:53 What do the people of Mérida do on February 2nd? 12:09 Every blow is a blessing 12:50 Do people get upset? 13:29 In this tradition, only men dress up 14:44 The vassals' costumes 15:07 Who assigns the roles in the tradition? 15:52 Devotion to Saint Benedict of Palermo 16:46 End of the Virgin's procession 17:00 Thanks for watching! 17:18 Travel to Mérida, you won't regret it! #Merida #Venezuela #VirgenDeLaCandelaria #VenezuelanTraditions #VenezuelaTourism #ElValleMerida #VasalsOfLaCandelaria #TravelVlog #VenezuelanCulture #SaintBenedict #VenezuelanAndes #Pechuviajes #TheCityOfTheKnights