“Cofrade” dictionary to enjoy Lent and Holy Week in Seville

Lent and Holy Week in Seville have their own language. It is a unique and singular language, which is nourished by traditions and typical expressions deeply rooted in the Sevillian imaginary. Get ready to discover the meaning behind each cofrade term, from the most common to the most peculiar!

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  • Aguaó. Person who carries the búcaro with water and a pitcher to give water to the costaleros.
  • Antifaz. Piece of clothing that covers the head and face of the nazarenos y penitentes.
  • Al cielo con ella. Expression used by the capataces and costaleros of a paso at the moment of the «levantá».
  • Ahí queó! Voice given prior to a caller’s call (toque de llamador), to indicate that the costaleros stand up and leave the paso resting on the ground.
  • Bacalao. In addition to a very typical culinary product of this time, it is the popular name given to the banner of each brotherhood.
  • Besamanos. Ceremony of worship, usually to the Blessed Virgin, in which she is exposed to the veneration of the faithful who kiss her hands.
  • Besapies. Ceremony similar to the Besamanos but dedicated to the Lord. In this case the faithful kiss her feet.

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  • Bulla. Agglomeration of people who gather around the floats and in certain areas along the route of the brotherhoods.
  • Canastilla. Upper part of the float where Christ stands, above the platform (parihuela)
  • Camarera. Woman who assists the dresser in the task of dressing images. They are in charge of the garments of the images.
  • Capillita. Popular term used to refer to people involved in the brotherhood world.
  • Candelería. Set of candle holders of different sizes placed in angular position at the front of the canopy float, leaving a central gapto make the figure of the Virgin visible
  • Capataz. Person responsible for guiding the costaleros to carry the float correctly.
  • Capirote. Cardboard cone that the nazareno places on their head to later cover their face with a fabric called antifaz.

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  • Carrera Oficial. Mandatory route for the brotherhoods during their penitential station, enclosed and where private stands and rental chairs are placed. In Seville it starts in Plaza de la Campana and ends at the Cathedral. Entry and exit must be done according to a strict schedule.
  • Chicotá. The path that a float follows from the moment the costaleros lift it (levantá) when the capataz (who directs the float from outside the streets of the city) gives the order by sounding the llamador (the hammer located at the front of the float), until it stops moving (arriá).
  • Cíngulo. Silk cord, and sometimes silk and gold, worn by nazarenos around the waist when not wearing a belt made of esparto or abacá.
  • Cirio. Long and thick wax candles carried by nazarenes in the brotherhood.
  • Cofradía. Often used as a synonym for Brotherhood, although it specifically defines everything related to the Penitential Station during Holy Week of each Brotherhood.
  • Costaleros. Brotherhood members who carry the floats (los pasos) on their heads and necks in procession. They protect themselves from the enormous weight with a sackcloth costal placed between their necks and the trabajaderas (handles) of the float.
  • Cruz de guía. Cross-shaped emblem that leads the procession through the streets during the route.

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  • Cuadrilla. Group of costaleros who processionally take out the floats of a brotherhood and work under the orders of the capataz.
  • Diputado Mayor. The person responsible for the brotherhood on the street, during the procession.
  • Entrada. Final act of the Penitential Station of a brotherhood. It is the access to their temple.
  • Estación de Penitencia. Route taken by the Brotherhoods during Holy Week, providing they make a visit to at least one temple.
  • Hermano Mayor. Senior officer of a brotherhood, elected in the ‘cabildo’ by the brothers.
  • Igualá. Placing the costaleros at equal height on the different trabajaderas (handles) that make up the float (paso) inside, going from highest to lowest height.
  • Incensario. Small brazier with chains and lid used to burn incense.

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  • Levantá. Word that describes the moment when the costaleros lift the float to start the chicotá, when the capataz sounds the llamador.
  • Llamador. Metal piece located at the front of the floats with which the capataz orders to lift or lower the float.
  • Madrugá. Period between the night of Holy Thursday and Good Friday. This is when some larger and well-known brotherhoods such as La Macarena, El Gran Poder, El Silencio, or La Esperanza de Triana go out in procession.
  • Marcha. Musical composition played by the bands accompanying the processions, helping to set the pace for the costaleros.
  • Más paso. Command given to the costaleros meaning they have to lengthen the pace of the float.
  • Mecida. Swinging the float (paso), dancing it.
  • Menos paso. Command given to the costaleros meaning they should shorten the pace of the float.

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  • Misterio. Sculptural representation of a scene from the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.
  • Nazarenos. Brotherhood members who compose the processional retinue of each brotherhood. They carry candles or emblems, wear tunics, and are covered by the capirote and antifaz.
  • Palio. Canopy supported by the varales carried by the Virgin’s floats. Like the mantles, they are true works of art. By extension, this name is also given to the complete Virgin’s float (paso).
  • Papeleta de sitio. Document necessary to participate in the Penitential Station with the brotherhood.
  • Paso. It is the set formed by the andas (platforms) and the images that are sustained on them. They can be of Christ, Virgin, or Misterio if they represent a scene from the Passion.
  • Penitente. Nazareno distinguished by not wearing a capirote and carrying a cross.
  • Programa. Schedule with the list of brotherhoods divided by day of Holy Week in which can be seen on the streets. It indicates the schedule and itinerary of each brotherhood.

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  • Recorrido. Itinerary that a brotherhood must follow during its procession.
  • Saeta. Prayer sung in flamenco style with devotion to the images, either from a balcony or from the street (at the sidewalk). They can be accompanied by a Petalá, which consists of throwing flower petals like rain over the float of an image.
  • Titular. Image that presides over each brotherhood.
  • Tramo. Group of two rows of nazarenos between emblem and emblem.
  • Túnica. Attire of Jesus in his Passion. Garment worn by the nazarenes.
  • Vara. Insignia generally made of metal and wood, carried by the nazarenos who are in the presidencies of each float or accompanying an emblem.
  • Varal. Each of the twelve columns that support the canopy roof.
  • Venia. It is the request made by each brotherhood as they pass through La Campana to be able to enter the official route and continue with their Penitential Station.