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La Guelaguetza, a cultural celebration steeped in tradition and vibrant energy, captivates hearts and minds alike. From colorful parades to rhythmic dances, music, this annual spectacle showcases the rich tapestry of Oaxacan heritage.

This word means participation and evokes the notion of mutual exchange. The aim of the ceremony is indeed the union of the population and the formation of a network of cooperation between individuals, families and villages. There are also other independent festivals in several villages around Oaxaca.

The Guelaguetza is also known as ‘Lunes del Cerro’ because it is celebrated at the summit of Cerro del Fortín, a place with a spectacular view of the city of Oaxaca and its surroundings

The celebration typically takes place during specific dates each year, aligning with historical and cultural milestones, and this cultural event can last 12 days.

The heart of Guelaguetza lies a celebration of diversity and community spirit. Families gather, adorned in traditional attire, as the spirit of Oaxaca comes alive through enchanting performances and joyful camaraderie. Communities even give a gift of a few objects, food or drinks that are part of their culture.

Like in this image local people serves some Mezcal to the people in the street.

Music at La Guelaguetza

Each region brings its own music band. Of course, live music is played throughout the event. Most of them are wind bands, playing their pieces while the dancers showcase the best of their region.

Listen to some songs in this Spotify Playlist.

Cultural Dance in la Guelaguetza

There are eight regions that come together in the Guelaguetza: Cañada, Costa, Istmo, Mixteca, Papaloapan Basin Region, Sierra Sur, Sierra Norte, and the Central Valleys, and each region will present at least one performance, although there will be some that perform two or more.

Cultural Tourism in Oaxaca

La guelaguetza is a magnificent spectacle for 27,455tourists, at least in 2023, which represented an economic impact of over 99 million pesos on that year.

The aim of the ceremony is indeed the union of the population and the formation of a network of cooperation between individuals, families and villages.

In the heart of Mexican culture lies a captivating art form that transcends generations Alebrijes. These whimsical sculptures, bursting with vibrant colors, are more than mere decorative pieces; alebrijes represent the soul of Mexican folklore and culture of a city.

In an oneiric world, Alebrijes come to life as surreal creatures. The creator is Pedro Linares Lopez, a paper Maché artist from Mexico City.

Pedro Linares fell sick and had severe hallucinations where he saw fantastic figures like a donkey with wings, a frog with a rooster’s head and so many other creatures that he used to call Alebrije. This is why there is not a precise meaning for alebrije nor an etymology for the word.

A gallery owner from southern Mexico, from Cuernavaca, was the first to be attracted by the art of Pedro Linares. Until 1975, Pedro Linares’ work was only sold locally . His sculptures developed considerably after the documentary made by Judith Bronowski on this artisan. But it was only in the 1980s that a workshop demonstrating Alebrijes sculptures emerged through the works of Pedro Linares, Manuel Jiménez and Maria Sabina.

Alebrijes evolved not only from Paper Maché but also from wood.

While the creator of alebrijes hailed from Mexico City, the renowned alebrijes today predominantly originate in San Martin Tilcajete. Oaxaca known as the “land of alebrijes” where visitors can discover families of artisans dedicated to handcarving and painting these creatures.

In supporting the artisans, your contribution resonates beyond a mere purchase, it becomes a pledge to safeguard a cultural legacy.

El Día de la Calendaria, recognized in the Catholic Church as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ in English, commemorates the occasion when Mary brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem for the first time. Dating back to at least the fourth century in ancient Jerusalem, this feast is among the oldest celebrations in Christianity.

According to early Jewish tradition, the date of February 2 for Día de la Candelaria is because they supposedly forbade a woman from entering the temple for 40 days after giving birth.

The Church chose December 25 as the date for Christmas, or Jesus’ birth, and as a result, his presentation in the temple would have taken place in February. 2, or 40 days later.

The Beginning of día de la Candelaria

We celebrate Candelaria at home with a family dinner with tamales and hot drinks.

The tradition starts on Three King’s Day, a month earlier, families start the tradition with a typical holiday cake called rosca de Reyes, which includes a small figurine of baby Jesus baked into the dessert, the person who finds the plastic figurine in their slice of rosca is in charge of buying the tamales for the other family members.

Even though you can be celebrated El Día de la Candelaria all throughout the country, some locations in Mexico stand out for hosting more elaborate celebrations. Lets remember the goverment dont mixes law and religion.

In Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, the Candelaria festivities span a week and include events like bull runs and feasts, highlighting a variety of local culinary delights. I consider this tradition to be the true end of the Chistmas holidays.

Rooted in Mesoamerican culture, the tradition of the “Voladores de Papantla” or the “Dance of the Flyers” involves a ceremonial performance. Its origins trace back to the Totonac community in the region of Veracruz, Mexico. A place full of traditions. Meanwhile, the Caporal, the fifth man, stands on a platform atop the pole, playing songs with a flute and small drum dedicated to the sun, the four winds, and each cardinal direction.

In the ceremony, four young men climb a wooden pole ranging from eighteen to forty meters high. Meanwhile, the Caporal stands atop the pole, playing songs with a flute and small drum dedicated to the sun, the four winds, and each cardinal direction.

After the invocation, the others hang from the platform with long ropes, spin, emulating flight, and gradually descend. Each dance variant embodies the myth of the universe’s birth, reflecting the community’s worldview and values in the Voladores’ ritual ceremony.

The Myth of the Voladores de Papantla

In a Totonac legend, during a severe drought, five individuals sought to communicate with Xipe Totec, the god of fertility, to bring rain. They ventured into the forest to find the largest tree, fasted, and prayed throughout the night at its base for divine assistance.

The following day, the villagers consecrated, cut down, and brought the chosen tree back to the village. They then stripped it of its leaves and branches. The massive trunk was erected in a square and blessed once more. Adorned in feathers and emulating birds, the men climbed to the top, seeking the attention of Xipe Totec. Suspended by a rope, they circled the mast, imploring the god’s mercy with the accompaniment of flute and drum.

Since that time, the Totonac people have upheld the tradition of flying around a trunk, passing down this technique from one generation to the next.

The traditional mexican posadas, often just called “posada” (Spanish for inn, lodging or shelter), is a religious celebration in Mexico, commemorating Joseph and Mary’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a secure place for Mary to give birth to Jesus.

Finally, one innkeeper allowed them to take shelter in his stable. Christians believe this is where Jesus was born. 

How do people celebrate the mexican traditional Posadas today?

Traditional Singing in las posadas

The posada song is essential. Many people from the world also sing Christmas , and during modern posadas, But we have a song referring to the moment when the Virgin Mary and Jesus went from house to house asking for shelter or ‘posada’ to spend the night. This ritual begins when half of the people gathered in a house stay inside, closing the door, and the other half waits outside in the courtyard with candles while singing the typical song ‘Pidiendo Posada’ (asking for shelter).

This song is crafted as a conversation, meaning it starts with a verse from the group outside, and then the group inside responds by singing in the same manner, continuing until the end of the song.

And then they let us in.

Click here to see the lyrics.

The traditional mexican Piñata

Although piñatas have mostly lost their original religious meaning in most parts of Mexico, they remain an essential part of las posadas. IIn more traditional celebrations, people fill them with small fruits, cookies, and peanuts, but nowadays, they commonly fill them with candy—unless your grandmother or aunt, disliking you, opt for mandarins and sugar cane instead. As a kid, all you crave is sugar.