Spanish village hurls turnips to drive away evil

[FarCenter]

PIORNAL (SPAIN) (AFP) -
Residents of a Spanish town pelted a devil-like character portrayed by a young man with thousands of rock-hard turnips Thursday in a tradition that aims to drive away evil.

The centuries-old festival of Jarramplas is celebrated every January 19 and 20 in the western village of Piornal, home to around 1,500 people.

Portraying the "Jarramplas" -- especially on the second day of the festival -- is considered such an honour that there is a waiting list of 21 years.

Each year, several young men are selected to take turns to dress up as the devil-like character by wearing a costume made from colourful strips of fabric with body armour underneath, and a mask with great horns.

As they walk the streets and beat a drum, hundreds of villagers repeatedly hurl turnips at them from close range.

http://www.france24.com/en/20170119-spanish-village-hurls-turnips-drive-away-evil

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Where can we get a few truckloads of turnips on short notice?

There's some more evil that needs to be driven away, and soon.

[gratuitous]

3. Asking for a friend . . .

[Angry Dragon]

2. they should send tons to DC