Every year on Holy Monday, Texistepeque’s famous Talcigüines—men dressed in red—take to the streets, whipping both locals and visitors as part of a ritual meant to cleanse sins.
This striking tradition, rooted in the Santa Ana Norte municipality, reflects El Salvador’s blend of cultural and religious heritage.
The Talcigüines symbolize the battle between good and evil, reenacting the biblical temptations of Jesus Christ. The term “Talcigüines” comes from Nahuatl and means “demon-possessed men.”
Before the procession begins, participants attend mass and confess their sins. They then dress in red cloaks and masks inside the church sacristy. The man portraying Jesus wears a purple tunic, carries a cross draped in matching fabric, and rings a bell.
The ritual unfolds in the streets. One Talcigüín approaches Jesus, attempting to tempt him by circling and confronting him.
The Talcigüin strikes in a cross pattern while Jesus rings the bell energetically. In the center, Jesus crouches down, and the Talcigüin spins around, hitting the ground nine times.
After this act, the Talcigüin collapses in humiliation before Jesus, who steps over him. Subsequently, Jesus releases the Talcigüin, who then joins the crowd to pursue and whip the people.
The select group of demon-possessed men is made up of about 50 people who walk around the Texistepeque streets for about three hours, whipping people’s sins out of them.
Los Talcigüines of Texistepeque
The Salvadoran Legislative Assembly awarded the title of Intangible Cultural Heritage of El Salvador to the Los Talcigüienes group back in 2015.
This event has become a top tourist attraction during the holy week celebrations; also, it is a big part of Salvadoran Culture.
Los Talcigüines of Texistepeque stand out as one of El Salvador’s most intense Holy Week traditions, where masked men in red reenact the battle between good and evil through ritual whippings and street performances.
