This photo essay documents the famous processions during the week before Easter, Holy Week, in Taranto. Since 1605, the devoted perform a traditional "pilgrimage" between the old and new city, visiting all the ancient curches in the city along the route. The two brotherhoods organizing the processions called: "le Perdune", "l'Addolorata," and "i Misteri".
The priors of the brotherood of the grieving Madonna before the "alzata" of the statue.
The statue of grieving Madonna during the pilgrimage in the Isola (old city). The exit of Madonna from Church of Saint Domenico is considered from the Tarantinians the main event of the Holy Week.
The pilgrimage of the statue of Grieving Madonna, the main event of the Holy week and the church of Saint Domenico, where the statue stands for the rest of the year.
One of the three "crociferi" who bring the cross on the shoulder during the pilgrimage of Madonna.
The statue of fallen Christ during the procession of "Misteri" the holy Friday.
People bringing the statue of veiled Christ during the procession of "Misteri" the holy Friday.
People bringing the statue of veiled Christ during the procession of "Misteri" the holy Friday, it's the last statue in procession during the holy week.
"le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, near the curch of Carmine, in Borgo (new city) where they start their penance. They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, in Borgo (new city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, in Borgo (new city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
The famous processions of the Holy Week in Taranto.
Since the 1605 the devoted doing the traditional "pilgrimage" in the old and new city, visiting all the ancient curches in the city.
Two brotherhoods organizing the processions called: "le Perdune", "l'Addolorata" and "i Misteri".
In photo: "le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, all'Isola (old city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, going to the church of Duomo (main church) in the Isola (old city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"Le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, in the church of Duomo (main church) in the Isola (old city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"Le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, in the church of Duomo (main church) in the Isola (old city). A couple of "perdune" is called "posta", at every altar a posta give the change to the previous for the prayer, the change of the "posta" is a rite with secret words whispered to the fellow of brotherhood.
The brotherhood of Saint Mary of Constantinople (born in 1580) in the old city during the march from Duomo (main church) to the Saint Josef church.
Fighters of the Belobeid tribe proudly tout their guns and artillery in the southern Yemeni desert of Shabwah, an Al-Qaeda haven. Just as the Saudi-led coalition began bombing Houthis and loyalists to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh, hundreds of fighters from the Belobeid tribe began joining forces in the desert of the southern province to begin organizing a coordinated resistance against the Houthis.
In the past few months, the ongoing expansion of northern Yemen's Houthi rebels has prompted many tribes in the restive south to pull together. One man interviewed says they are fighting against both the Houthis and "terrorism" as such.
TRANSCRIPT
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Unnamed Tribal fighter 1
01:01 – 01:04
“We are against Houthis and terrorism alike.” "We are against [UNINTELLIGIBLE] country"
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hassan Bahloul, Spokesperson of the Southern Revolutionary Movement in Hadramout
01:53 – 02:50
“Peace be upon the Prophet Mohamad and his honourable descendants.
Today is the day of reunion in this historic area. Return to history, roots and authenticity.
We are gathered to unify the voice of all Belobeid clans. We confirm that that Belobeid are a solid bloc that shall not be broken.
Throughout history, we have preserved the security of our area [UNINTELLIGIBLE] al-Soda. We have preserved our security and safety against any kind of aggression. What is happening in Sanaa is their own conflict, we are not concerned with it in any manner here in the south. We have proved our presence. The security of Belobaid is equivalent to the security of the whole land of the south, from Mahra to Bab al-Mandab [UNINTELLIGIBLE]."
Kaputas beach is one of Kas' main tourist attractions due to the colour of its beautiful warm water and pleasant sandy beach.
Kas, Turkey
September 29, 2014
As a child Sahika Ercumen had acute asthma. Her breathing difficulties were so bad that until age twelve she couldn’t do any physical activities and spent most of her time sat at home. Determined to confront her illness she went to her local swimming club and jumped into the water.
To everyone’s surprise Sahika was a natural swimmer. Like many young girls she had imagined life as a mermaid and her newfound love for water ultimately changed her life. “I felt I was diving in another world, in a dream world. It was so relaxing, so nice underwater. I hadn’t played sports until I was 12 years-old because of a sickness, so it was really a miracle for me.”
The swimming coach asked her to hold her breath and swim underwater. In her first attempt she out performed the club professionals and knew she wanted to dedicate her life to the sport. Through intense training, her physical strength improved, as did her immune system, until she was no longer affected by her asthma.
Sahika is now the leading female free diver with six world records including the women’s deepest return dive on a single breath – an astonishing 91 meters.
Sahika also now trains and mentors aspiring new freedivers in workshops in the Turkish coastal town of Kas.
Freediving is an extreme sport in which participants swim for long distances underwater to exceptional depths, or for long periods of time, on a single breath without the use of scuba gear. Unsurprisingly it requires great physical and mental strength as Sahika explains, “After 20-30 meters your lungs are the size of a football, as the pressure increases they get smaller and smaller. By 30-40 meters your lungs are like tennis balls… Your veins too are getting smaller and your heart rate drops. The blood circulation moves to only your heart, brain and vital organs – there’s a big change [to your body].”
Free Diving world record holder Sahika Ercumen during a training dive in Kas, Antalya, Southern Turkey.
Free Diving record holder Sahika Ercumen surfaces after a training dive out at sea near Kas in Antalya, Turkey.
Kas town seen from the harbour.
Free dive enthusiasts check out the action below as they wait their turn to dive during a workshop lead by Sahika Ercumen.
Free Diving world record holder Sahika Ercumen leads a breathing workshop in Kas, Antalya, Southern Turkey.
A student relaxes during a yoga session as part of a free diving workshop lead by Sahika Ercumen in Kas, Turkey.
Sahika Ercumen teaches breathing exercises during a free diving workshop in Kas, Antalya, Southern Turkey.
A student laughs during a breathing workshop lead by free diving record holder Sahika Ercumen in Kas, Antalya, Southern Turkey.
Though well known throughout Turkey, Kas remains less popular with foreign tourists than the near-by towns of Bodrum and Antalya city.
Sahika Ercumen instructs students during a breathing workshop in Kas, Southern turkey.