Provence Live - a visit of Camargue : the Saints from the Holy Land

Saints of camargue | History & economy | Folco de Baroncelli | Schedule of events

LA CAMARGUE : "Saints of Camargue" from the Holy Land

The precise number and identity of the passengers who landed on these shores are as uncertain as the notion that they arrived here at all. Sailing from the Holy Land aboard a frail craft equipped with neither oars nor sail, they number variously from six to eleven.Three at least were called Mary : Mary Jacobé, sister of the Virgin Mary, Mary Salomé, mother of apostles James and John (Joses ?), and Mary Magdalene, best known as a sinner. (On arrival she trekked across country with Saint-Maximin, a fellow passenger, to the mountain cave of the Sainte Baume in the Var).

Also on the passenger manifest : Martha, sister of Lazarus, who is also aboard noted principally for being raised from the dead, Sarah, their Egyptian servant, long cited but venerated only in 1935 by the gypsies when, associated with the rellics of the saints her statue was borne in solemn procession to the sea.

Each year on May 24/25, thousands of "boumians" (gypsies) process to the water followed by costumed Arlésiennes and gardians (cattle and horsemen) from the manades (ranches). Untold numbers of the devout and curious join them and the ceremony concludes with rejoicing, feasting, and the election of a new "gypsy queen".

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Listing of hotels | Listing of manades (ranches)

Saints of camargue | History & economy | Folco de Baroncelli | Schedule of events