There is no written rule or requirement, but there is a moral obligation. A pilgrim should not attend "as he pleases" Los Dolores, but must keep "a decorum" to go dressed according to the traditions. These are words from Santiago Torres, president of the Cultural Association Coros y Danzas de Arrecife, and expert in the typical clothing of this Los Dolores festivity. This Lanzarote native gives the keys to the clothing of a good pilgrim and harshly criticizes those who arrive in Mancha Blanca "as if it were a Carnival bullring." Because Los Dolores, more than a party, is a religious event in which "respect" must be the "most important" value.
For many, in recent years Lanzarote has witnessed a "distortion" of the pilgrim's clothing, which has been carried away by "the disturbances marked by a fashion." Faced with this situation, Santiago Torres emphasizes that "you cannot arrive at the feet of the Virgin as you please" and, therefore, asks the pilgrims to follow his advice so that the clothing during this religious event is "worthy of satisfaction for all."
And, to be a good pilgrim, you only need to scratch your pocket a little, because a suit can cost about 100 euros, for both men and women. In times of crisis, you can also use clothes that you have at home, but yes, that are in accordance with the typical clothing and this is, that of the old peasant.
"You have to take into account that in this pilgrimage it is about remembering the old and before people went to see the Virgin with their traditional peasant clothes, both the rich and the poor," explains Santiago Torres, who emphasizes that "from being a local pilgrimage, it became a practically regional pilgrimage, where many people do not go as God commands."
"It is not normal for us to see people walking with sneakers, with their shirts untucked, and with a shopping cart to put alcoholic beverages. That is not normal. They go with drinks as if it were a stall, and they bother the real pilgrim who goes with his band. If the Virgin could speak...?" Torres laments. Hence, his advice serves not to disappoint this year in Los Dolores.
The good pilgrim
According to Santiago Torres, the good clothing of the pilgrim must be composed of a white shirt, originally made with linen fabric. It can also be blue or black striped. Normally, the shirt has a round neck and, originally, they folded the sleeves at the height of the shoulders.
The pants can be black striped or gray. "The fundamental thing is that it is dark," says Torres. "In ancient times, peasants dressed in dark pants and that must be represented in Los Dolores," he insists. In addition to the pants, a good pilgrim also needs a sash or a belt, black, although lately there are all colors. The sash leaves at its ends a piece of unwoven warp forming some fringes. Normally, it should measure about 3 meters long and 12 centimeters wide. It is rolled around the waist, "and not on the head like a pirate," Torres remarks.
The good pilgrim cannot miss a black scarf, tied around the neck, brown or black cowboy boots or sandals, as well as a black vest. And, of course, the last detail, the cachorro, which is a black felt hat. "It can be gray, depending on the color of the clothes," indicates Torres.
The women's suit
The simple women's suit has more elements than the male one. Starting with the feet, the shoes must be cowboy boots or sandals. "A very simple black leather shoe is also valid," he explains. In addition, it is essential that the pilgrims wear a skirt, which should be only one color and "never fluorescent." "It can be blue, violet, orange, red...? and you can also use the traditional one, which is striped," he says.
The women's blouse is usually short-sleeved, or with the sleeves gathered with a black ribbon. It is linen, with a round neck, although it can also be fine colored squares.
The bodice has to be black or colored cloth, while the scarf "has to be well placed on the head." Finally, the hat or the sombrera is "normal straw or, well, fabric, like that of single pilgrims."
"With 60 or 100 euros, the people of Lanzarote can buy a good pilgrim suit, according to tradition, and that represents the true spirit of the pilgrimage," emphasizes Santiago Torres. All, so that this religious festival does not become a Carnival.
