TRADITION BEHIND THE PIG....

ON THE OTHER DAY, WHY DID I SEE A BLACK PIG WANDERING ON A STREET IN THE SPANISH VILLAGE OF LA ALBERCA??? 

Ok, this is the explanation

At the time of the Spanish Inquisition, Jews and Muslims gave the villagers of La Alberca (Spain) pigs in order to prove that they had abandoned their religion that forbade the eating of pork.

The village continues the tradition to this day. Each year on June 13,  they release a pig into the village after a blessing ceremony. The pig is welcome to wander the streets like the village dog, fed wherever he happens to be. 


In the old days, the pig was also welcome to spend the night in the stables, which originally occupied the ground floor of the buildings. Presumably, now that the ground floor is filled with shops, the pig sleeps outside.

On January 17th, the village auctions off the pig for charity. It is likely that the winner or someone he knows will be able to slaughter this pig because these people are still very close to the land. All around, very close to the village you can find small farms, sheep, black pigs and donkeys.

To commemorate this long tradition, a statue of a pig stands outside the church. There is a belief that if you and your loved one touch the testicles of this statue together and pledge your love, the woman will become pregnant. Then, if one day you visit La Alberca, watch what you touch ....

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