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On the first Sunday of May every year, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as ìFiesta de las Flores y Palmasî. Although the origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season, nowadays the festival honours Catholic saints, the Virgen del Rosario and the Virgen de la Concepcion. Early in the morning, women strip the palm...
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  • Salvadoran girls carry an altar with a statue of Virgin Mary during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran girl decorates coconut palm fronds with flower blooms during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran women work on a floral ornament during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Members of a dance group "Los Historiantes" perform the Dance of the Moors and Christians during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • An altar with a statue of Virgin Mary is carried during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A member of a dance group "Los Historiantes" performs the Dance of the Moors and Christians during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran woman carries a palm branch with colorful flower blooms during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran girl carries a palm branch with white flower blooms during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran altar boys hold pastoral candles and cross during the Holy Mass at the end of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran boys, dressed as Moors and Christians, perform the traditional dance during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Members of a dance group "Los Historiantes", dressed as Moors and Christians, dance during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran man carries his daughter on his shoulders during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran man plays a drum during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran girls and women carry an altar with a statue of Virgin Mary during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A member of a dance group "Los Historiantes" poses for a picture during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A carved wooden monkey seen on the helmet of the "Los Historiantes" dance group member during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran girls decorate coconut palm fronds with flower blooms during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A member of a dance group "Los Historiantes" rests during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • An altar with a statue of Virgin Mary is carried during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran girls carry an altar with a statue of Virgin Mary during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran cowboy rests during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A member of a dance group "Los Historiantes" performs the Dance of the Moors and Christians during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran man holds an icon of Virgin Mary during the Holy Mass at the end of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Members of a dance group "Los Historiantes" perform the Dance of the Moors and Christians during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A member of a dance group "Los Historiantes" performs the Dance of the Moors and Christians during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran men, dressed as Moors and Christians, perform the traditional dance during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran girl works on a floral ornament during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A member of a dance group "Los Historiantes" performs the Dance of the Moors and Christians during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran girl carries a palm branch with colorful flower blooms during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Members of a dance group "Los Historiantes", dressed as Moors and Christians, rest during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran woman seen through palm branches with colorful flower blooms during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran girls, dressed in typical costumes, pray during the Holy Mass at the end of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran boys, dressed as Moors and Christians, perform the traditional dance during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran people carry palm branches with colorful flower blooms during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran man plays flute during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran girls carry an altar with a statue of Virgin Mary during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran girl carries a palm branch with colorful flower blooms during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran boys, dressed as Moors and Christians, peel oranges during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran woman sells mango with chocolate on a stick during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran man plays flute during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran boys, dressed as Moors and Christians, perform the traditional dance during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran girl throws colorful flower blooms during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran girl carries a palm branch with colorful flower blooms during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran boy, member of a dance group "Los Historiantes", poses for a picture during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • An old Salvadoran woman laughs, while watching the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • Salvadoran girls carry palm branches with colorful flower blooms during the procession of the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A Salvadoran man, member of a dance group "Los Historiantes", drinks from calabash during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A member of a dance group "Los Historiantes" performs the Dance of the Moors and Christians during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A member of a dance group "Los Historiantes" performs the Dance of the Moors and Christians during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.

  • A carved wooden monkey seen on the helmet of the "Los Historiantes" dance group member during the Flower & Palm Festival in Panchimalco, El Salvador, 8 May 2011. On the first Sunday of May, the small town of Panchimalco, lying close to San Salvador, celebrates its two patron saints with a spectacular festivity, known as "Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas". The origin of this event comes from pre-Columbian Maya culture and used to commemorate the start of the rainy season. Women strip the palm branches and skewer flower blooms on them to create large colorful decoration. In the afternoon procession, lead by a male dance group performing a religious dance-drama inspired by the Spanish Reconquest, large altars adorned with flowers are slowly carried by women, dressed in typical costumes, through the steep streets of the town.