Purisimenses made Judas pay for his betrayal

More than 35,000 people gathered to witness La Judea, a tradition in Purisima del Rincon that is celebrating 153 years

Purisima del Rincon/Gto News

For three days, the streets of Purisima del Rincon are transformed into a living stage where faith, tradition and identity are strongly expressed through La Judea, one of the most representative cultural manifestations of Holy Week in Guanajuato, which this 2026 celebrates 153 years of history.

This tradition, which originated in 1873, was promoted and established by Hermenegildo Bustos, an artist and portraitist from Guanajuato whose work and legacy remain present in this representation that blends the religious with the popular.

Bustos, renowned for documenting the daily life of his community through art, shaped an expression that today is a symbol of identity for the municipality and that the Governor, Libia Dennise Garcia Munoz Ledo, is promoting through the State’s tourism strategy.

During Holy Week, hundreds of residents actively participated in the reenactment of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, focusing the main event on the death of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed his master for a few coins.

This reenactment is characterized by the use of handcrafted masks carved from colorin wood, unique pieces that can fetch prices exceeding 5,000 pesos due to their complexity, detail, and cultural significance. 

These masks, made by local hands, represent characters such as Judas, devils and symbolic figures that combine social criticism, tradition and creativity.

The Judea is a collective experience where entire families, musicians, artisans and community actors bring to life a ritual that has been passed down from generation to generation, strengthening the sense of belonging and pride of the population.

The activities took place from April 1st to 3rd with key moments such as the arrest, the tribute to Hermenegildo Bustos, the crucifixion and the traditional hanging of Judas, which bring together visitors and locals in different parts of the municipality and this year from different states and countries, a result of the tourism promotion carried out by the Secretary of Tourism and Identity. 

La Judea is part of the State’s most important religious calendar and is integrated into the wide range of Holy Week celebrations in Guanajuato. Its significance transcends the cultural, becoming a tourist attraction that generates a flow of national and international visitors, directly benefiting the local economy.

Furthermore, this celebration reinforces Guanajuato’s positioning as a destination where identity is not only preserved, but lived and shared.

The results of the visits reflect a community that has preserved its history and identity. La Judea reenactment represents the deep roots, creativity, and cultural strength of Purisima del Rincon, establishing itself as one of the most authentic expressions of religious tourism in Mexico.

Guanajuato opens new paths to the world through its traditions, where culture, faith and people with their identity are at the heart of every experience.

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