The feast of the Black Christ in Portobelo is one of the most important religious lores of Panama. Every October 21th the city lives a party while thousands of people come from all over the country to participate in the huge procession of the "Naza".
Pilgrims come from towns and cities near and far, and many of them do several miles on their knees, as an offering to the Saint meaning a symbol of faith for fulfilling their prayers and to ask forgiveness. The path is usually accompanied by a constant drop of candle wax on the body or carrying the family that was benefited by a miracle, or even whips. The road is long and family support is vital to finish the last meters.
While the Catholic Church and human rights organizations argue about how painful or appropriate this custom is thousands of pilgrims arrive each year to the Church of San Felipe yelling "There is no pain!".
