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SAN JUAN SACATEPEQUEZ, GUATEMALA - MARCH 2: Mayans in the Guatemalan city of San Juan Sacatepequez celebrated the traditional holy day “Ash Wednesday” on March 2.Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a 40-day season of fasting and praying before Easter. It comes from burning the palm fronds that were used the previous year to celebrate Palm Sunday.The celebrations started with a mass in the church in the morning, continued with a fantastic and spectacular parade in the streets of the city.The women wearing fancy and colorful traditional dresses with long lace shawls covering their heads were accompanied by a band playing traditional music.Men carried "andas" which look like a float, with a sculpture of Jesus carrying the crucifix.During the parade the streets took on a mystical atmosphere due to smoke emanating from burned incenses filling the air with fragrance and setting the mood.After the parade, the participants gathered in the city hall to share an alcoholic drink believed to cleanse the body and to remember those who are no longer alive. (Footage by Luis Vargas /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)