Paso (float)

A Paso (Spanish: "Episode of the Passion of Christ") is an elaborate float made for religious processions. They are carried by porters on staves, like a litter or sedan chair, and are usually followed or escorted by a band. Some have long skirts that cover the bearers entirely, giving the impression that the statue is floating on its own power. 
The porters are called "costaleros", "cargadores" or "portadores" and their leader is called a "capataz" ("Foreman" or "Head Man"). The "capataz" sets the "chicotá", the period of time between a paso being lifted and set down again; the "costaleros" cannot pick up or set down the "paso" except by his leave. This is signalled by the "llamador" ("crier"), a knocker on the front of the float. During "Semana Santa" ("Holy Week", the week preceding Easter Sunday) the custom is to make "pasos" adorned with large wooden statues of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, saints and biblical personalities from the Passion.
In Italy smaller carried floats are known as "macchine a spalla".