Then there are the penitent ones or penitentes - the men and women who show their faith and penitence by inflicting pain on themselves during this most holy week - an ancient tradition dating to the middle ages and introduced to Mexico from Spain almost 500 years ago. Self flagellation in the streets is included as are the Animas, women dressed in black with hoods and chained together carry crucifixes. Drawings by Juan Crisostomos Estrada.