Holy Week Carpets

In many parts of Central America, the creation of alfombras is a typical Easter event. Alfombras are “carpets” made of brightly dyed sawdust that line the streets where Easter processions pass. These temporary decorations are said to have originated when carpenters used to spread sawdust on the streets to soften the path for the penitents who carry the heavy floats in the processions. Shortly after their construction, these intricately patterned carpets are trampled by people walking with the processions.

The history of the carpets can also be traced back to the bible, where the Gospel describes how when Jesus rode into Jerusalem the people laid down their cloaks and tree branches in front of him.

Here in Santa Rosa, these alfombras are created in the city center on Good Friday morning.

Each individual church is in charge of the creation of the carpet for one city block. The design for their carpet is determined ahead of time, and drawings and cardboard cutouts are made and sawdust gathered or purchased and dyed. Early on Good Friday morning, the parishioners gather at their predetermined block and begin creating the carpets.

First, the outline is laid out on the road with string.

Next, lines of sawdust are put down to create the edges of the carpet.

Each color of dyed sawdust is brought in big sacks, pre-dyed to the specific colors to be used in the carpet.  

The base of the carpet is filled in to the edges, and patted down so it is smooth and uniform.

Next, cardboard stencils are laid down on the carpets and filled in with different colored sawdust to make intricate designs.

Details are filled in by hand...

When completed, the carpets extend for 12 city blocks, forming a path for the procession of Jesus Christ.

Some close up views of the designs...

At 9:00 a.m., the Procession ViaCrucis leaves from the Cathedral in central park. During the Viacrucis procession members of the church carry a statue of Jesus carrying the cross through the city center, stopping at the 14 stations of the cross, constructed by the different churches on street corners in the center. The processions walk across the carpets, destroying the work as they pass.

After the procession has passed, the trampled carpets are swept into piles...

... and scooped up into their original bags.

By 11:00 a.m., all that remains is bits of colored sawdust stuck in the cracks of the cobblestone!