The quema del Judas is one of the most important traditions in Mexican culture, repeated every Holy Saturday.
During this day, devils made of papier-mâché are burnt in city squares, symbolising the victory of good over evil. Today, these devils are often replaced by puppets of famous people, especially politicians.
This ritual reached Mexico in the 16th century with the Spanish colonisation, but did not begin to take place in the country until the 19th century.
In Spain, this ritual symbolised the purification of spirit and body. In South America, it was adopted by evangelisers to show purification of sins by having puppets representing Judas burnt. However, another source claims that this ritual originated as a form of satire towards the Holy Inquisition and their public executions of heretics.
