Spanish Town Celebrates Bizarre, Turnip-Throwing Festival

People throw turnips at the Jarramplas as he makes his way through the streets beating his drum, during the Jarramplas festival in Piornal, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. Hundreds of people are running through the streets of a tiny town in southwestern Spain, chasing a fancy-dressed, beast-like figure and pelting it with turnips. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

PIORNAL, Spain—Hundreds of people are running through the streets of a tiny town in southwestern Spain, chasing a fancy-dressed, beast-like figure and pelting it with turnips.

The event is part of the bizarre ‘Jarramplas’ festival which is held in Piornal each Jan 19-20.

Following the yearly tradition, a town volunteer on Wednesday donned a costume of multicolored ribbons and a protective devilish mask with horns. He then charged through the streets, beating a drum and will continue for as long as he can stand the punishment.

Local farmers supplied some 18 tons of turnips for the festival. Its origins are uncertain but the local tourism office says the ‘Jarramplas’ figure represents a cattle thief. Others say it has religious roots.

The festival finishes later Wednesday with musical and gastronomic celebrations.