Dance of the Devil
Sitting on the curb with his elbows casually resting on his knees, this young man might not stand out as a reveller.
But his red outfit and the grotesque blue mask propped against the wall give him away. He has been taking part in the festivities of the "dancing devils," who mark the Feast of Corpus Christi in the Venezuelan town of San Francisco de Yare by donning red garments, masks and religious amulets and performing a ritual dance.
A young man takes a break during the celebrations.
A "devil" wears red clothes and a huge, colourful mask.
A participant walks down the street.
The "devils" pray during a break from their dance.
Participants dance in the street. They move backwards, showing that they are running away from God, until they finally surrender.
A man taking part in the festivities holds a maraca.
A participant puts on a mask.
A young man poses in front of a wall, which is painted with a mural of other "dancing devils" by the church.
Amulets and crucifixes dangle from the neck of a participant.
A woman holds a candle as she stands among the "dancing devils".
