What an exciting adventure it was to join William Cepeda and members of
AfroBoricua in Puerto Rico during our historical investigation of
Santiago de Apostol, patron saint, and one of the most
important figures of the town of Loiza Aldea and of our Celebrando
2005 season project dedicated to the folklore of Loiza!
Years of research culminated in a live music and dance production entitled
Celebrando 2005 - Viva Loiza, a joint performance
between William Cepeda, AfroBoricua and PRFDance on June 25-26, 2005.
Enjoy these historical notes behind one of the several Loiza traditions
we presented at Celebrando 2005, the Festival of Santiago Apostol and the
colorful characters the world loves -- the Caballero, the Vejigante,
El Viejo, and La Loca.
Santiago de los Ninos
History of the Festival of Santiago Apostol
The Festival of Santiago Apostol reflects Spanish traditions
transformed in the new world. The devotion to Santiago, St. James
the Apostle, began in Spain in the early decades of
the 9th century when on July 25, the Bishop Teodomiro was guided by a star
to the tomb of the Saint. In later years, people from all over Europe
would make pilgrimages to visit the Saint.
In the first years, the faithful conceived Santiago as a humble fisherman
of Galilee, a companion of Christ. It was in 844, during the wars between
the Christians and the Muslims, that the Spaniard's conception of Santiago
changed. A legend tells of a battle where the Christians, fighting at a
great disadvantage, were saved by Santiago who, dressed as a knight and
riding a white horse, appeared in the Muslin camp and defeated the Moors.
After that, the images and paintings of Santiago always depicted the saint
as a Spanish knight, mounted on a white horse with a flag in his left hand
and a sword in his right. From then on the Spaniards called on Santiago
for help in time of war.
The devotion to Santiago came to Puerto Rico with the Spanish
conquistadors. In 1514, Diego Colon founded one of the first towns,
on the east coast of the island, and called it Santiago del Daguao. The
next year, the Saint was called upon to help the Spaniards fight the
ferocious Carib Indians on neighboring Vieques island, in revenge for an
attack the indians had made on the farms in Loiza. On many occassions
thereafter, Santiago was depended upon to help the Spaniards in their fights
against the Caribe indians, and later Europeans, like the English and Dutch,
who tried to take the island. By the early 1600s, the Island annually
celebrated the feast day of Santiago every July 25th with great
enthusiasm.
Although the origin of the Festival de Santiago in Loiza is unclear, one
could imagine the slaves becoming devoted to the Saint as they picked up
arms and fought along side the Spaniards to defend their families, towns and
homes. The image of Santiago the Spaniards depended on for help
was not so unlike some of the slaves own gods: Ogun, the god of War, and
Chango, the god of lighting, thunder and storms. Santiago himself was not
only considered the saint of war, but also the "son of thunder," capable
of sending fire down from the sky to destroy the enemy.
West African culture and traditions brought to Puerto Rico by the slaves
were preserved in Loiza thanks to poor roads and limited means of communication
that isolated Loiza from other towns in the early days.
For this reason, although the devotion to Santiago died down in
other parts of Puerto Rico, this tradition was preserved in Loiza
through the centuries and each year is still remembered in a week-long
festival beginning July 25 that include both religious ceremony
and carnival celebration. Anyone who visits Loiza during this time
of year can't help but enjoy the lively carnival traditions, and
towns people who dress as one of four historic characters to delight and
entertain: the Caballero (Spanish knight), the Vejigante (Evil), El Viejo
(men dressed a raggedy-dressed old men), and La Loca (men dressed as crazy
ladies who sweep streets and balconies asking for money).
References and Suggested Reading
- "La Fiesta Santiago Apostol en Loiza Aldea,"
Ricardo Alegria, Coleccion de Estudios Puertorriquenos, 1954.
- See References and Resources
for additional suggested reading.