6/15/2004: El Colacho jumps the babies

He's at it again at what is now a recurring IotD. El Colacho is supposed to be the devil - which is why he gets the stylish outfit I guess - and his jump is supposed to rid the babies of original sin. It all takes place at the El Salto Del Colacho festival in Castrillo de Murcia, Spain.

Lucky babies, their eternal fate changing as the result of a simple stunt. I think if they really are cleansed that this guy should be leaping over every baby he can possibly find, and parents should travel to him from all over to set up hurdling events and maybe even pole vaults over pyramids of screaming youngsters. But if it's just a silly festival, than it should be an IotD and we can only hope the guy clears the kids every time.

If you're willing to heed the little voices, why is this such a leap of logic?

at least he got new shoes since his last jump.

Whaddayu mean? The kids aren't in danger, the guy's obviously way off to the side.

It is baby jumping time again!? Ah. Lets get out a motorcycle and try it.

I didn't know the devil drives a racecar for NASCAR

4 at a time! Must take all day. Maybe they keep adding more. A bigger bed, better shoes, longer run up, flashier costume....

If we're done ridiculing what we don't understand, maybe we can dig a little deeper. We have some cultural confusion here. From what I've read the devil is supposed to be fleeing from the sight of the Eucharist, since it occurs the Sunday after Corpus Christi. Original sin is removed by Baptism in Catholicism. El Colacho is supposed to flee taking with him whatever illnessess the babies have. It is a traditional folk remedy dating from 1621.

A friend of mine says that, "El Salto Del Colacho" means, "the jump of the curly haired guy."

And as far as ridiculing what I don't understand, I understand it.

I'd say American culture's irrationality is far more dangerous to humanity than some curly haired guy maintaining an old tradition for the sake of tourism.

I wonder what those babies are thinking...