Holy Week: Key words

Abono (Subscription)
Paid subscrption whereby the holder is assigned a seat along the offical route.

Acólito (Acolyte)
'Acólito' is a child who provides assistance in church or during the procession. The term is usually applied to those who wear a dalmatic and carry long, ornate candlesticks ahead of each ceremonial platform.

Advocación
A canonical title given to a religious image according to its representation in the Gospels or in the heart of the Catholic Church.

Aguador
Assistant that accompany the bearers team carrying water to them.

Antifaz (Mask)
A piece of fabric or velvet attached to the headress, covering the Nazarenes' face.

Bacalao
'Bacalao' refers to a flag that usually bears the brotherhood's emblem.

Bambalina
'Bambalina' refers to the velvet or mesh drapings embroidered in gold or silk that hang from the top canopy and are located at the front, back and sides of a ceremonial platform.

Banda (Band)
'Banda' is a band that accompanies the Confraternities ahead of the ceremonial platforms or ahead of the Guiding Cross. There are certain 'silent' Confraternities who prefer not to have musical accompaniment.

Bandera (Flag)
A square or oblong flag made from canvas, taffeta or other material attached to a pole and used as an insignia during the procession.

Besamanos (Hand-kissing)
'Besamanos' (literally, Hand-kissing) is an act of worship, generally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, whereby a religious statue is offered to the faithful so that they may kiss her hands.

Besapies (Foot-kissing)
'Besapies' (literally, Foot-kissing) is a similar form of worship to that of 'Besamanos' (Hand-kissing), but dedicated to the Lord. On this occassion, the faithful kiss the feet of a statue of Christ.

Bocinas (Horns)
'Bocinas' (Horns) are symbolic insignia of ancient Roman trumpets. They are made of embossed, silver-gilt metal.

Bulla (Crowds)
'Bulla' (Crowds) is the name given to the mass of people who congregate in certain streets along which a Confraternity passes.