The community of Yavi in Jujuy marked the Holy Week tradition known as the Doctrinas, a ceremony that blends faith, cultural identity, and generational transmission, according to a March 31 announcement.
This annual event is considered one of the most significant expressions of Holy Week in the region. Each Good Friday, women and girls from various communities participate by wearing white tunics, walking barefoot with their faces covered through the streets of Yavi. They accompany an image of the Virgin Mary while singing hymns and reciting litanies that reflect mourning for Christ’s death.
Although some outside accounts have referred to participants as “lloronas,” local communities avoid this term because it does not capture the deeper meaning behind their tradition. The ceremony continues throughout Good Friday and into the night, featuring central moments such as adoration of the Holy Cross and processions involving both participants and residents.
The practice endures through generational teaching: older women instruct younger ones to ensure that this intangible cultural heritage remains part of provincial life. The event also supports Jujuy’s efforts to promote itself as a destination for cultural and religious tourism during Holy Week.
Those interested in attending can reach Yavi from San Salvador de Jujuy via National Route 9 to La Quiaca, then Provincial Route 5.
