A reveller covered in paint plays in foam as she takes part during the annual 'Cascamorras' festival in Guadix, southern Spain, September 9, 2006. The festival was inspired by the dispute between the villages of Baza and Guadix over the possession of the image of the Virgin of Piedad. The Cascamorras refers to representatives from Guadiz who are sent to the town of Baza to recover the statue. As the Cascamorras have to stay perfectly clean to gain possession of the statue, Baza residents attempt to make them as 'dirty' as possible.

A pair of revellers covered in paint kiss during the annual 'Cascamorras' festival in Guadix, southern Spain, September 9, 2006. The festival was inspired by the dispute between the villages of Baza and Guadix over the possession of the image of the Virgin of Piedad. The Cascamorras refers to representatives from Guadiz who are sent to the town of Baza to recover the statue. As the Cascamorras have to stay perfectly clean to gain possession of the statue, Baza residents attempt to make them as 'dirty' as possible.

Revellers covered in paint play in foam as they take part during the annual 'Cascamorras' festival in Guadix, southern Spain, September 9, 2006. The festival was inspired by the dispute between the villages of Baza and Guadix over the possession of the image of the Virgin of Piedad. The Cascamorras refers to representatives from Guadiz who are sent to the town of Baza to recover the statue. As the Cascamorras have to stay perfectly clean to gain possession of the statue, Baza residents attempt to make them as 'dirty' as possible. [Reuters]