Each float was preceeded by a group of people in robes and conical hoods; these were the "Nazarenos", the different brotherhoods within the churches. Membership in the brotherhoods is passed down from father to son. I found the Nazarenos eerie since their hoods were reminiscent of the KKK and all that showed were their eyes. Some of them gave out candy, fish, bread and other treats to the people on the sidelines. We also saw religious penitents dragging crosses. Most of the crosses didn't look that heavy (but after five hours of dragging one through the street I might change my mind). Some guys had three or four crosses over their shoulders, which made you wonder what they were atoning for!