Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno Cofradia
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It’s a Sunday afternoon. The heat hangs over the Templar Fortress in Jerez de los Caballeros. Five bands, whose members all wear wool uniforms, seek relief in the shade. They chat with each other in preparation to play. Some of the brass players warm up near the ancient wall, looking out onto the vast countryside of Extremadura. Others stay close to the shade, trying to catch a moment of relief before marching through Jerez.
The band of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno Cofradia, Jerez’s Municipal Band, “Maestro Sousa,” (another Cofradia from Jerez) and groups from Badajoz and Sevilla gathered together to play the week before Semana Santa.
From the fortress, the bands follow each other through Jerez to the Plaza, where they stop to play a song. The crowds gather in the streets to watch the bands.
This is only the beginning of much parade- watching for the many that turn up to see the processions of Semana Santa.
In Jerez there are eight cofradias, and each one performs during Semana Santa. They carry with them religious floats with scenes from the life of Jesus.
The groups are excited about Semana Santa. Miriam Gomez Garcia, 12 years old, plays with the Cofradia Nuestro Padre Jesus. She has been in the Cofradia for four years and says she likes to participate because she enjoys seeing the floats during Semana Santa, playing music and meeting people.
“I love music and I love Nuestro Padre Jesus,” she says in the English she has learned at El Rodeo, a bilingual primary school.
Miriam is 12 and she plays with much older members of the Cofradia, but young and old play together as one.
Nuestro Padre Jesus, the Cofradia of the Santa Maria church, will play several times throughout the Holy Week, including Viernes Santo (Holy Friday).
A Cofradia is a mix between a brotherhood and a religious association. The Nuestro Padre Jesus Cofradia dates back to the 11th or 12th century.
From ancient times until today, the Cofradia tries to keep tradition alive and counts down until Semana Santa, where they will fulfill their favorite duty as members of the Cofradia.
Semana Santa begins in Jerez de los Caballeros during Domingo de Ramos with a procession beginning at 7p.m. at Santa Catalina.