Satan Burned

Guatemala’s fiery ‘Burning of the Devil’ tradition serves as a sort of preparation for the upcoming Christmas celebrations. Also known as ‘La Quema del Diablo,’ it dates back to the 16th century. To mark the occasion, celebrants build an elaborate effigy of the devil, and adorn it with firecrackers. People don devil costumes, and parade through the streets in a performance dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The festivities culminate when they set that devil on fire.