The Empalaos of Valverde de la Vera
Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto
'Los Empalaos de Valverde of Vera', are anonym penitents that in the silence of dawn on Good Friday, traverse the streets of Valverde. Barefooted men, with a petticoat in white hemp charge in their shoulders a plough's wood attached with large cords that spiral their arms until it bites and paralyses their chest. At the arms ends three large iron rings are hung, called "vilortas" identical to those used to pull the plough. The severe iron tinkle is the only sound allowed during the long walk of the "Empalao" on his "Via Crucis". Finally, a pair of crossed sabres is placed on his back and head. Covering the face falls a white lace veil finished with a spine crown. This is how the "Empalao" becomes anonymous. It's not easy, during Maundy Thursday, to find someone that says to know an "Empalao". I've made several questions, and all the people gave me subversive answers, all respect the "Empalaos" and they do not uncover them. Penitents with a major faith, reserve themselves for silence and anonymity, they seek neither fame nor heroism, only their penitence, several times washed in tears and blood. Unfortunately I was not able to enter in an "Empalao's" house. The entire "Empalao" preparation ceremony it's very intimate. Nevertheless, I had the good chance to see and photograph the ceremony organized for the media by the culture house of Valverde. They asked for a press accreditation, that I did not had and I do not have. I’ve told I lived in Portugal about 650km of distance and that I went there only to document the "Empalaos de Valverde of Vera". I succeeded to enter, two Portuguese friends and me. It is from midnight on of Maundy Thursday until the end of dawn, that any door, any house of Valverde, can be the beginning of a penitence way. Where he passes silence is demanded, behind him his family, wrapped in blankets for the maintenance of anonymity, accompanies him singing prayers in silence. Another person from the family that transports a night-lamp illuminates the way of the “Empalao”. Finished the course that covers 14 stops with briefs prayers in front of crosses spread in Valverde, the "Empalao", returns home. There, after removing the cords and the wood of plough from his shoulders it's necessary that someone from his family rub his body with alcohol for him to recover blood circulation. The "Empalao" of Valverde of Vera, can be anyone.
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Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202124 Empalao being cord up and dressed up in a familiar inmost cerimony before he goes to the street to pay his promise. WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202123 Empalao, being tied up to a trunk to the shoulders,in a familiar inmost cerimony before he goes to the street to pay his promise. WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
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Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202107 Empalao, being tied up to a trunk to the shoulders,in a familiar inmost cerimony before he goes to the street to pay his promise. WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202109 Empalao, being tied up to a trunk to the shoulders,in a familiar inmost cerimony before he goes to the street to pay his promise. WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
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Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202121 Empalao, barefooted men, with a petticoat in white hemp charge in their shoulders a plough's wood attached with large cords that spiral their arms until it bites and paralyses their chest. At the arms ends three large iron rings are hung, called "vilortas" identical to those used to pull the plough. The severe iron tinkle is the only sound allowed during the long walk of the "Empalao" on his "Via Crucis". Finally, a pair of crossed sabres is placed on his back and head. Covering the face falls a white lace veil finished with a spine crown. This is how the "Empalao" becomes anonymous. WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202117 Empalao, leaving his house, after the inmost familiar ritual preparation, to go to pay his promise along his "Via Crucis". WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
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Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202118 Empalao, barefooted men walking in the street to pay his promise, with a petticoat in white hemp charge in their shoulders a plough's wood attached with large cords that spiral their arms until it bites and paralyses their chest. At the arms ends three large iron rings are hung, called "vilortas" identical to those used to pull the plough. The severe iron tinkle is the only sound allowed during the long walk of the "Empalao" on his "Via Crucis". Finally, a pair of crossed sabres is placed on his back and head. Covering the face falls a white lace veil finished with a spine crown. This is how the "Empalao" becomes anonymous. WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202120 Empalao, barefooted men walking in the street to pay his promise, with a petticoat in white hemp charge in their shoulders a plough's wood attached with large cords that spiral their arms until it bites and paralyses their chest. At the arms ends three large iron rings are hung, called "vilortas" identical to those used to pull the plough. The severe iron tinkle is the only sound allowed during the long walk of the "Empalao" on his "Via Crucis". Finally, a pair of crossed sabres is placed on his back and head. Covering the face falls a white lace veil finished with a spine crown. This is how the "Empalao" becomes anonymous. WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
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Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202113 A pair of crossed sabres placed on the Empalao back. WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202114 A empalao with the face Covered with a white lace veil, finished with a spine crown. This is how the "Empalao" becomes anonymous. WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
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Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202111 A Empalao being loose of his cords and trunk after the "Via Crucis". WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202110 A Empalao being loose of his cords and trunk after the "Via Crucis". WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
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Nelson D'Aires / Kameraphoto / Picturetank DAN0202112 A Empalao being loose of his cords and trunk after the "Via Crucis". WIDE EDITORIAL USAGE. WITH SIGNED OR ORAL MODEL/PROPERTY RELEASE. Infos : +33(0)143 15 63 53. Do not distribute in Italy |
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