This is the moment dozens of Sevilla locals painted their faces black during a traditional Three Kings ceremony in the city.
The locals were dressed as so-called ‘beduinos’ for the annual letter-giving event, which takes place before the Three Kings’ Parade on January 5.
During the event, the Royal Herald, who represents the three kings, collects thousands of letters from children.
He requests the Mayor’s permission for the Kings to enter the city and to collect the letters.
Various neighbourhoods and church brotherhoods (like in Los Remedios or Dos Hermanas) organise their own Heraldo or Cartero Real (Royal Postman) to collect letters.
The main parade, called the Cabalgata de Reyes, takes place in the afternoon of January 5, where the Kings parade through the streets throwing sweets and gifts to children.
The ‘beduinos’ are members of the procession entourage who represent the desert nomads who helped guide the Three Wise Men (Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar) on their journey from the East to Bethlehem.
In the main parade, they walk alongside or follow the floats of the Three Kings.
They are typically costumed in traditional desert attire, such as robes and turbans, and often accompany the camels.
Similar to the Kings and other performers, beduinos often interact with the children watching the parade, tossing candy and small gifts to them.
Each year, many cities come under fire for using white actors painted black to play the part of King Balthazar.
Last year, Malaga vowed to only hire black people for the role, following in the footsteps of other big cities.
However, many continue to paint white actors black, arguing that there is no ‘malice’ behind the tradition.
Blackface typically describes the practice of using makeup to create a racist and demeaning caricature of Black people.
Originating in 19th-century American minstrel shows, the practice is steeped in centuries of racism and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
