With an official count of 17,601 people dressed as Moors and Christians, the traditional festivities of “Las Morismas de Bracho” were entered into the Guinness World Records books as the largest historical reenactment in the world.
Alfredo Arista, official adjudicator for Guinness World Records, explained that the challenge to overcome was 15,000 people in costume. Therefore, with this new number of participants, this religious and cultural festival has obtained this worldwide certification: “As of today, you, Zacatecas, are officially amazing,” he said.
After nearly four hours of counting the members of the brotherhood in the streets of the Historic Center, where the traditional parade took place, Guinness World Records staff set up eight entrances to count each member of the battalions of the Brotherhood of San Juan Bautista, as well as other invited brotherhoods from various municipalities.
Thousands of Zacatecans voluntarily participated each year in the largest staging of “Las Morismas de Bracho,” a four-day play in the Lomerío de Bracho area, celebrating its 201st anniversary this year.
Thousands of actors belonging to the Brotherhood of Saint John the Baptist participate in the reenactments, and over the four days they perform three performances on different days: The Battle of Lepanto—a crucial naval engagement; the Colloquy of the 12 Peers of France is also reenacted, retelling the stories of the Song of Roland and the knights of Charlemagne; and the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
The Moorish armies, or “zouaves,” wear red baggy trousers, a tunic of the same color, and a blue bundle with the Turkish symbol. On their backs, they carry a huge bread roll and other fruits. The Christians, or “barbones,” wear red, with false beards and long capes.
Source: es-us.noticias.yahoo
