Dressed in colourful costumes and handmade masks, parishioners danced through the streets as children received their First Communion after a year of religious preparation. The event combines Catholic devotion with local customs and forms part of a ritual in which masked devils ultimately submit to the Blessed Sacrament, symbolising the victory of good over evil. The tradition was recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012.
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The celebration in Tarmas is distinguished by its small masks made from dried gourds and a rhythmic dance that traces the sign of the cross on the ground. Participants said that while costumes and rituals vary between communities, the central purpose remains the same: honouring the Eucharist.
The practice dates back to the arrival of Franciscan missionaries in the late eighteenth century and reflects a blend of Catholic, Indigenous and African influences. Today, it remains one of Venezuela’s most distinctive religious and cultural events, bringing together families, worshippers and local brotherhoods each year.
