By: Steven Worthy, Staff Photographer
In the town of Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico, an estimated 60,000 people took part in three days of festivities known as Fiesta De Los Reyes (Festival of the Three Kings or Three Wise Men). This annual event—the 141st edition—celebrates the Three Kings: Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior, who bring gifts to the Baby Jesus on January 6th and are represented at the festival. The day is also known as Epiphany for Catholics.
Before their arrival at the festival, the Three Kings travel around Puerto Rico, making appearances in different cities before arriving in Juana Díaz on January 6th. On this day, the procession includes people dressed as shepherds, local pageant winners, bands, local and island dignitaries, organizations, and Cabezudos (large heads) of the kings themselves. As the procession makes its way to the main square, the Plaza de Román Baldorioty de Castro of Juana Díaz, The Three Kings arrive from the mountains at the end of the procession. They greet patrons as they proceed to the stage at the plaza for a large mass at 12 PM.
The Three Kings are depicted in artwork, murals, and are an important part of life and culture in Puerto Rico. The Juana Díaz Festival is the original and largest, with 141 years of history, and is one of many events honoring the Kings, taking place from January 4th to the 6th. Gift exchanges occur at night on January 5th as, traditionally, grass and water are left by a child’s bed to feed the camels while the Kings leave gifts for girls and boys. In modern times, caravans of cars drive around cities with three men dressed as the Kings at night to deliver gifts to children eagerly awaiting their arrival.
The town of Juana Díaz was named after Juana Díaz de la Cruz, a free Black woman who was a landowner and was tragically murdered in her home on January 23, 1695, while her husband was away. The town was named in her honor in 1798 by her great-great-grandson, Don Juan Nepomuceno Díaz, who aimed to create a thriving agricultural community important to Puerto Rico.
Darlinee Galarza-Padilla contributed to this article.
