Bizarre turnip-throwing festival takes place in Spain

Hundreds of people have been running through the streets of a tiny town in south-western Spain, chasing a fancy-dressed, beast-like figure and pelting it with turnips.

Bizarre turnip-throwing fest takes place in Spain. Image by John Morgan / CC BY 2.0

The event was part of the bizarre Jarramplas festival, which is held in Piornal each year in January. A volunteer dons a costume of multi-coloured ribbons and a protective devilish mask with horns, and charges through the streets, beating a drum for as long as he can stand the punishment.

Local farmers supply the turnips for the festival. Its origins are uncertain but the local tourism office says the Jarramplas figure represents a cattle thief.

See YouTube clip of the Jarramplas festival, 2014 here: YouTube

(Press Association)