Can the devils at the La Vega carnival really hit you?

The rules of the game

what

Diablos cojuelos, limping devils, parade down the avenue and strike passers-by with a vejiga, once an animal's bladder, now usually rubber, inflated and tied to a rope. Anyone who strolls down the avenue accepts the rules.

when

Every Sunday in February. On 27 February, independence day, carnival and nation fall on the same weekend.

where

La Vega. The city closes to traffic, stands go up, and admission is charged on some stretches.

who

Comparsas, carnival troupes, who compete for prizes; some have defended the same name for half a century.

why

The main rule is simple: the devil may hit you, but only from behind and only with the bladder; on the legs or the back, never the head, and never small children. Those who go in shorts learn once.

• The devil may hit you only from behind and only with the bladder, on the legs or the back, never on the head and never small children.
• The carnival runs every Sunday in February; 27 February, independence day, falls on the same weekend as the carnival.
• The city closes to traffic, stands are put up and admission is charged on some stretches; troupes compete for prizes.

Todos los domingos de febrero, La Vega se llena de diablos cojuelos, y quien pasee por la avenida acepta las reglas del juego.

Every Sunday in February, La Vega fills with limping devils, and anyone strolling down the avenue accepts the rules of the game.

La regla principal es sencilla: el diablo puede golpearte, pero solo por detrás y solo con la vejiga.

The main rule is simple: the devil may hit you, but only from behind and only with the bladder.

Duele. Esa es la gracia, y los que van con pantalón corto lo aprenden una sola vez.

It hurts. That is the point, and those who go in shorts learn it once only.