Feast of San Marcos

Description

On San Marcos's day — 25 April — the saint has traditionally been carried in procession through the town, following the route of the fountains, to ask for water for the fields. It was customary to sing litanies imploring the saint for rain. The image of San Marcos has a bull at his feet which, being of small size, is popularly known as “el perrillo de San Marcos” (San Marcos's little dog/bull), and which is thrown into the waters of a well located at the spot known as El Nacimiento when the procession passes by. It was also customary for the town's dogs, at the hands of the young men, to share the same fate as the Evangelist's little bull, ending up thrown into the waters of the fountains of Bélmez de la Moraleda. With the feast of San Marcos falling close to the month of May, it was customary, though now largely forgotten, for the young men to serenade the girls they courted, known as the “mayos”. Following this custom, which usually lasted until Cross Day — 3 May — rounds were made, serenades were sung, and floral “enramadas” were placed at the doors of the girls being courted.