Spanish villagers pelt costumed 'Jarramplas' with turnips

PIORNAL, Spain, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- A resident of a Spanish village donned the traditional costume of the Jarramplas, or scapegoat, and submitted to being pelted with turnips while beating a drum.

An Instagram video of the Jarramplas Festival, which is celebrated on the Jan. 19-20 Feast of St. Sebastian each year in Piornal, Spain, shows a man in a colorful costume being struck by dozens of flying turnips as part of a centuries-old tradition with unclear origins.

Officials said prior to this year's festival that nearly 40,000 pounds of turnips were expected to be chucked at the Jarramplas, or scapegoat, during this year's event.

The Jarramplas costume is made with fiberglass armor to protect the costume's wearer. Organizers said they attempted to use carbon fiber last year, but the armor cracked.