Suddenly the opposing group approached and a large scale attle seemed probable. Taunts and threads were yelled back and forth while the centurions rode on their horses at full speed up and down the “battle field” . From time to time Cora men from the opposing sides would emerge and challenge and fight each other. This battle went om for about an hour, the groups then separate and marched off to meet in battle on the other side of the village. Large clousds of dust rose above us with the constant sound of drums flute and war cries. WE hurried to the other side of the village but remained a healthy distance since the warriors were chasing everyone away including the Cora women that had come to watch the battle. This battle was joined much more rapidly and continued for about an hour. When it was over all the groups joined together and marched back to the town square drumming and dancing and fighting all along the way.

Soon after the battle royal was over people emerged from the church carrying a mock coffin and the saints, I was told this was Christ’s death. The procession wound around the village and then returned to inside the church. After looking closely at the photos I can see it was the town council that was carrying the coffin and the saints.

After the procession the battles continued in the street with the drumming and flutes. This continues all night.