The Holy Week processions are a tradition of centuries and interest is increasing especially among the younger generation. The processions are organised by "cofradías"and "hermandades" religious , and it is not uncommon for parents to put a child's name down as soon as it is born.

The processions follow a time-hallowed ritual. The images of Christ and the Virgin are born on separate floats and form part of a cortege of robed with pointed carrying the paraphernalia (standards, staffs, incense burners) or simply long and black lace mantilla-ed "widows" parading to a musical accompaniment. Although some of the guilds parade during the day the majority start in the very early evening and follow an official route which may take as much as seven or eight hours to complete and the atmosphere when the throne finally returns to its chapel is charged with emotion.

Málaga and Seville stand out for the sheer magnificence and tradition of their celebrations and it is curious to note how different the two are. In Seville the are hidden from view beneath the and proceed with a somewhat jerky step while in Malaga the are and carry the throne on their , marching with a swaying gait. Even the terminology differs: in Seville the are called "pasos" and in Málaga "tronos" while the throne bearers are referred to as "costaleros" in Seville and in Málaga "hombres de trono" or "portadores".

(Andalucía Costa del Golf, March 1997)