Chalmeca
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A tiny village on the banks of the Río Jalegua some 15 kilometers northeast of Yoro, Chalmeca is home to a simple chapel containing a carved wooden black Christ statue, venerated by the many inhabitants of Yoro and surrounding parts of north-central Honduras. According to the local legend, the statue miraculously appeared at the foot of an oak tree next to the river at an unknown date in the past and was found by José María Solórzano, who built the chapel to house the statue.
By the time Padre José Manuel Subirana arrived in Yoro in the mid-19th century, the Cristo Negro was already famed in the region, and story has it the padre paid a visit to Chalmeca to see the statue for himself.
On the first of January each year, pilgrims from Yoro and nearby parts of Olancho come to Chalmeca to pay their respects and hold the annual festival for the Cristo Negro.
© Chris Humphrey and Amy E. Robertson from Moon Honduras, 5th Edition
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