Dance of the Devil

Sitting on the curb with his elbows casually resting on his knees, this young man might not stand out as a reveller.

But his red outfit and the grotesque blue mask propped against the wall give him away. He has been taking part in the festivities of the "dancing devils," who mark the Feast of Corpus Christi in the Venezuelan town of San Francisco de Yare by donning red garments, masks and religious amulets and performing a ritual dance.

30 May 2013. SAN FRANCISCO DE YARE, Venezuela. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

The San Francisco de Yare "dancing devils" cavort through town to commemorate the Feast of Corpus Christi - a Catholic holiday celebrating bread and wine being turned into the body and blood of Christ during Mass.

Their performance is supposed to represent the victory of God over the Devil and ends with the surrender of the devils before the church and the Eucharist.

During the carnivalesque festivities, the small town is filled with the pounding sound of drums and the jingle of bells.

AMBIENT SOUND from the celebrations can be heard on the accompanying audio track.

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29 May 2013. SAN FRANCISCO DE YARE, Venezuela. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A young man takes a break during the celebrations.

29 May 2013. SAN FRANCISCO DE YARE, Venezuela. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A "devil" wears red clothes and a huge, colourful mask.

29 May 2013. SAN FRANCISCO DE YARE, Venezuela. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A participant walks down the street.

29 May 2013. SAN FRANCISCO DE YARE, Venezuela. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

The "devils" pray during a break from their dance.

29 May 2013. SAN FRANCISCO DE YARE, Venezuela. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Participants dance in the street. They move backwards, showing that they are running away from God, until they finally surrender.

29 May 2013. SAN FRANCISCO DE YARE, Venezuela. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A man taking part in the festivities holds a maraca.

29 May 2013. SAN FRANCISCO DE YARE, Venezuela. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A participant puts on a mask.

30 May 2013. SAN FRANCISCO DE YARE, Venezuela. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

A young man poses in front of a wall, which is painted with a mural of other "dancing devils" by the church.