AP PHOTOS: Spanish town paints it black over medieval feud
Posted September 09, 2019 7:00 am
BAZA, Spain (AP) - 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.
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, men painted with black grease celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, hand prints are made by people painted with black grease on a wall during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, boys painted with black grease celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, people painted with black grease celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, a woman painted with black grease smiles as she takes part at the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, boys painted with black grease celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, children painted with black grease take part in the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, people celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, boys painted with black grease celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, people painted with black grease celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, people painted with black grease walk on a hill as they take part in the traditional festivity of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, a couple painted with black grease kiss each other as they take part at the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, 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. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, people painted with black grease celebrate during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, boys painted with black grease stand on top of a hill during the traditional festivities of the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain. During the Cascamorras Festival, and according to an ancient tradition, participants throw black paint over each other for several hours every September 6 in the small town of Baza, in the southern province of Granada. The "Cascamorras" represents a thief who attempted to steal a religious image from a local church. People try to stop him, chasing him and throwing black paint as they run through the streets. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.