Alejandra Rajal

Photographer

alerajal.com/

Confraternity / Brotherhood

Location: Mexico City, Mexico

Nationality: Mexican

Biography: Alejandra Rajal is a documentary photographer born and based in Mexico. Her vision focuses mainly on creating awareness of different realities, aiming to social conscience. Currently, she works as a freelance photographer dividing her time between... MORE

Black is the color of the Confr...tion between genders and ranks.

Black is the color of the Confraternity of Nazarenes. Even though there is a visual uniformity within the group, there is a clear separation between genders and ranks.

The religious group receives do... low-income economic situation.

The religious group receives donations from its members to decorate the church on special days. There are families from different incomes but most of them come from a low-income economic situation.

Rodrigo, became a member of the... and asked to pose for a photo.

Rodrigo, became a member of the Confraternity because his family comes here. Most kids are a little shy but he came very confidently and asked to pose for a photo.

Brother Marco Castañ... conical hat known as capirote.

Brother Marco Castañeda tries on the conical hat known as capirote.

Red carnations are always the c...to decorate the image of Jesus.

Red carnations are always the chosen flower for the Nazarenes to decorate the image of Jesus.

Women in the confraternity play...e decision-making of the group.

Women in the confraternity play a different role usually in the choir or the band but none of them can take part in the decision-making of the group.

Money donations from believers of the Church.

This altar took two days to be ...always finds ways to cooperate.

This altar took two days to be built between two of the members of the group. Here everyone always finds ways to cooperate.

Dr. Arturo Sanchéz B...nd leader of the Confraternity.

Dr. Arturo Sanchéz Barragán prays before the image of Jesus of Nazarene as a tradition before moving him for the Holy Week celebrations. He is the Hermano Mayor (Big Brother) and leader of the Confraternity.

Brother Francisco Aguilar, memb...procession of Silence to start.

Brother Francisco Aguilar, member of the chorus awaits for the procession of Silence to start.

Hooded brothers leave the churc...for the Holy Friday procession.

Hooded brothers leave the church to start their penance for the Holy Friday procession.

The procession of Holy Friday ...er 100,000 believers reunited.

The procession of Holy Friday in Puebla is one of the biggest in Latinamerica with over 100,000 believers reunited.

Brothers of the Confraternity c... Apostles during Holy Thursday.

Brothers of the Confraternity change clothing for the mass of the Apostles during Holy Thursday.

Brother Axel Ortega has been p...nce the beginning of the year.

Brother Axel Ortega has been preparing for Holy Week since the beginning of the year.

Behind the hood, every brother...en years and hooded for three.

Behind the hood, every brother has a personal story. Being part of the confraternity sometimes means leaving individuality behind and embracing collectivity. Brother José Roberto has been a member of the confraternity for seven years and hooded for three.

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Thumbnail of Black is the color of the Confra_ation between genders and ranks.

Thumbnail of The religious group receives don_a low-income economic situation.

Thumbnail of Rodrigo, became a member of the _y and asked to pose for a photo.

Thumbnail of Brother Marco Castañe_e conical hat known as capirote.

Thumbnail of Red carnations are always the ch_ to decorate the image of Jesus.

Thumbnail of Women in the confraternity play _he decision-making of the group.

Thumbnail of Money donations from believers of the Church.

Thumbnail of This altar took two days to be b_ always finds ways to cooperate.

Thumbnail of Dr. Arturo Sanchéz Ba_and leader of the Confraternity.

Thumbnail of Brother Francisco Aguilar, membe_ procession of Silence to start.

Thumbnail of Hooded brothers leave the church_ for the Holy Friday procession.

Thumbnail of The procession of Holy Friday i_ver 100,000 believers reunited.

Thumbnail of Brothers of the Confraternity ch_e Apostles during Holy Thursday.

Thumbnail of Brother Axel Ortega has been pr_ince the beginning of the year.

Thumbnail of Behind the hood, every brother _ven years and hooded for three.

Public Story

Confraternity / Brotherhood

Copyright Alejandra Rajal 2022

Date of Work Feb 2018 - Ongoing

Updated Jun 2020

Location Puebla, Mexico

Topics Belief, Christianity, Community, Documentary, Essays, Faith, Historical, Photography, Photojournalism, Portraiture, Religion, Spirituality, Travel

Cultus tries to understand the evolution of faith in Mexico after its evangelization.

This chapter explores an ultraconservative group known as a Confraternity that arrived in 1545 and eventually was forgotten during the "Reforma Laws" (1861) when they went through a 132-year-old ban in the country and their current efforts to adapt to a new era.