Día de Jeva

Every morning on 25 December, residents of the districts of Antequera (La Higuera, Villanueva de la Concepción, La Joya, among others) and of the town itself gather at the Hermitage of Jeva, to the south of the El Torcal Natural Park, to venerate the Virgen de la Purificación (Virgin of the Purification). This fiesta begins with the ringing of bells, which gives way to the traditional ‘choque de pandas’ of verdiales - a typical dance of the province of Malaga - and the entrance of the latter to the hermitage. This is followed by a tasting of homemade mantecados, coffee, shots of brandy and local fritters, as well as a series of musical performances, until the Virgin is carried in procession to the threshing floor, where a mass is held. To end the day, around midday, every year there is a competition of coplillas by verdiales dedicated to the Virgin, who is taken back to her hermitage once the event is over.