Cleansing with Fire

On the eve of Saint Anthony's Day, hundreds of people ride their horses through the streets of the small village of San Bartolome and jump through huge bonfires during the "Las Luminarias" festival, a tradition to cleanse the animals with bonfire smoke to protect them for the coming year.

Man rides a horse through a bonfire during “Las Luminarias” celebration, a ritual in honor of Saint Anthony, the patron of animals. On the eve of Saint Anthony's Day, hundreds ride their horses through the streets to cleanse their animals with bonfire smoke.