Observant Roman Catholics on Sunday performed an unusual Easter self-flagellation ceremony in the northern Spanish town of San Vicente de la Sonsierra.

The centuries-old ritual sees masked volunteers known as "los picaos" whip themselves on the back as they march through the small town, which lies in the north of La Rioja.

The self-flagellation is seen as an act of faith and penance for their sins.

After around 800 lashes, they then submit themselves to more pain by being pricked several times in the lower back. The bleeding which follows is supposed to prevent bruising from the earlier lashes.

Spain is famous for its stunning Holy Week processions, which at times bring city centres in the south of the country to a virtual standstill.

Unusual Easter - The "picaos" of San Vicente de la Sonsierra
To the north of La Rioja (Spain) there is a small town of just over a thousand inhabitants called San Vicente de la Sonsierra, known for a tradition that has a curious name: the "picaos". Who are they? Anonymous people who voluntarily flagellate their back as an act of faith and penance for their sins. The name "picaos" comes from the fact that after about 800 lashes another person chops it to bleed and thus avoid a huge bruise with a wax ball that has pointed crystals embedded (twelve wounds, six on each side of the back, for the twelve apostles). More information https://bit.ly/2uBDo1z - Semana Santa insólita – Los “picaos” de San Vicente de la Sonsierra
Al norte de La Rioja (España)hay un pequeño pueblo de poco más de mil habitantes llamado San Vicente de la Sonsierra, conocido por una tradición que tiene un curioso nombre: los “picaos”. ¿Quiénes son? Personas anónimas que de forma voluntaria se flagelan la espalda como acto de fe y penitencia por sus pecados. El nombre de “picaos” viene del hecho de que después de unos 800 azotes otra persona se la pica para que sangre y evitar así un enorme hematoma con una bola de cera que lleva incrustados cristales puntiagudos (doce heridas, seis en cada lado de la espalda, por los doce apóstoles). Mas informacion https://bit.ly/2uBDo1z