The culture is very religious, so the celebrations are connected deeply to the community and to the personal beliefs of each person.
For most people in Ecuador, celebrating the life and death of Jesus is very important. The processions signify that people walk along the path with Jesus and feel closer to him during this holy time. Many people walk barefoot in the streets, and some carry a heavy statue of Jesus around the town to represent the final journey of Jesus. The procession usually begins at the central church, as most towns have a central church, and they walk around the whole town for about an hour, and end up at the central church once again.
Some people travel or walk between cities to celebrate Holy Friday, and sometimes they even walk up to 21 miles! This tradition is very much connected to the paths and pilgrimages that people have taken for centuries that rely on being a little uncomfortable to feel closer to their religious and spiritual beliefs.
