This is just how they celebrate Easter in some sectors of Spain, and it looks very, very strange to American eyes. These are penitents celebrating Holy Week, leading up to Easter, and they've been dressing up like this for nearly 500 years (well before the KKK gave the look a bad reputation).
A penitent of "La Candelaria" brotherhood stands after the governing body of their brotherhood decided that penance could not be carried out in the streets due to rain during Holy Week in the Andalusian capital of Seville, southern Spain, April 3, 2012. Hundreds of Easter processions take place around the clock in Spain during Holy Week, drawing thousands of visitors.
(Reuters / Marcelo del Pozo)
(Reuters / Marcelo del Pozo)
(Reuters / Marcelo del Pozo)
(Reuters / Marcelo del Pozo)
