Every year on August 31, the streets of Nejapa, a small town in El Salvador, witness a fiery battle between two groups on an unregulated battleground.
Every year on August 31, the streets of Nejapa, a small town in El Salvador, witness a fiery battle between two groups on an unregulated battleground. Residents of the town paint skulls on their faces, or don masks, hurl kerosene-soaked burning rags at one other, while being cheered on by a huge crowd. This is called Bolas de Fuego festival, which translates to ‘balls of fire’. The participants wear gloves and thick clothing to avoid burns.