Sep 3, 2017
La Quema del Torito - arguably the strangest tradition in Guatemala. This practice first surged in the XVII century after the Spanish conquistadores introduced Chinese pyrotechnics for religious ceremonies. The Quema del Torito is nowadays carried out during an array of festivities throughout the country. During this risky activity, a person holds a wooden rig loaded with various pyrotechnics and moves to the rhythm of the music, while spectators try to dodge the fireworks. The rig is covered with a nylon sheet coated with lime powder to prevent burns. The design and style of the Torito differs in every place.