Spain's "La Encamisa" Festival
A horse rider pauses to drink wine offered with villagers as he marches in the procession during the "La Encamisa" Festival in Torrejoncillo, Spain, Monday, Dec. 8, 2014.
"La Encamisa" is an ancient feast honoring the Immaculate Conception which is celebrated every year on the 7th of December. Several hundred horsemen covered by a white sheet, decorated with finest lace and in some cases with the image of the Immaculate Conception embroidered and gold stars, gather in the main square.
The procession begins when a banner with the image of Immaculate Conception is delivered to the horse rider steward and people cheer and fire shots. People make bonfires around the city as they chat with friends and family, eat traditional cookies and drink local rich wine.
It is believed that the origin of the festival comes from a military event in which people from Torrejoncillo participated: The war in Flanders in 1585, the Battle of Pavia in 1525 or a legend of the siege of the city of Coria in 1142.
Holiday tradition celebrates the Immaculate Conception
A sheet with an image of Immaculate Conception to be use by a horse riding reveler lays on a table during "La Encamisa" Festival in Torrejoncillo, Spain.
Holiday tradition celebrates the Immaculate Conception
Women carry a sheet with an embroidery of Immaculate Conception to dress a horse rider during the "La Encamisa" Festival in Torrejoncillo, Spain.
Holiday tradition celebrates the Immaculate Conception
Villagers make a bonfire during "La Encamisa" Festival in Torrejoncillo, Spain, Monday, Dec. 8, 2014.
Holiday tradition celebrates the Immaculate Conception
In this picture taken Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, horse riders wearing sheets with images of Immaculate Conception cheer on revelers during "La Encamisa" Festival in Torrejoncillo, Spain.
Holiday tradition celebrates the Immaculate Conception
Horse riders march in the procession during the "La Encamisa" Festival in Torrejoncillo, Spain, Monday, Dec. 8, 2014.
Holiday tradition celebrates the Immaculate Conception
A reveler drinks liquor as he and others carry shotguns during the "La Encamisa" Festival in Torrejoncillo, Spain Monday, Dec. 8, 2014.
Holiday tradition celebrates the Immaculate Conception
In this picture taken Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, A horse rider wearing a sheet with a image of Immaculate Conception cheers on revelers during "La Encamisa" Festival in Torrejoncillo, Spain.
Holiday tradition celebrates the Immaculate Conception
Revelers fire their guns during the "La Encamisa" Festival in Torrejoncillo, Spain.
Holiday tradition celebrates the Immaculate Conception
Worshippers cheer as the image of Immaculate Conception arrives to the church in the end of the procession during the "La Encamisa" Festival in Torrejoncillo, Spain, Monday, Dec. 8, 2014.