Benque House of Culture gears up sawdust carpets to line streets for Good Friday Procession

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Every year during Holy Week, the townsfolk of Benque Viejo del Carmen prepare for the the Good Friday Procession, called ‘el Santo Entierro’, commemorating Jesus Christ’s sacrificial walk bearing a heavy cross to Calvary where he was crucified, with respect and solemnity expressing their faith in God. 

Over the years, the Benque House of Culture (BHOC) has been at the helm of laying elaborate sawdust carpets for the bearers of gigantic platforms carrying images of Jesus Christ to walk on as the procession moves through the principal streets of the Western Town.

These days the BHOC along with the Benque Community are very busy organizing themselves for Good Friday preparing the stencils for their intricate designs and sifting and colouring the sawdust with dye.

Early on Good Friday morning, families and friends will take to the streets to lay out the carpets that depict religious characters and flowers, among other images. The carpets are a whole lot of artistic work based; artwork that disappears in seconds once the image bearers walk on them.

But the townsfolk don’t mind repeating the effort yearly as it’s an expression of their faith and devotion to Jesus Christ.

This year, according to Coordinator Nalleli Yacab, the BHOC has extended itself and has been collaborating with the recently reactivated San Ignacio-Santa Elena (SISE) House of Culture to create the artwork in the twin-town as well.