Los Escobazos Festival In Jarandilla De La Vera

JARANDILLA DE LA VERA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 07: A reveler hits a family with a burning broom during the "Los Escobazos" Festivial on December 7, 2014 in Jarandilla de la Vera, Spain. The origin of this festival is unconfirmed. Most believe that it comes from when goat shepherds came down from the mountains to celebrate the Virgin's Conception Day (December 8th) the night before. In order to see, they would light some branches of a brush called "Escobones" (Brooms). After a long season outside home, as a game, the shepherds entered the town hitting family and friends with the burning brooms. Each December the 7th, the festivity begins at nightfall when people light bonfires in the streets and hit each other with burning brooms. After this people take the "torches" to the religious procession where the Virgin Conception flag is carried by a man on horseback (The "Adminstrator"). Once it has finished, the party continues with people dancing, eating and drinking "pitarra" wines gathered at the remaining bonfires. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)