MEXICO
TOURISM BOARD /CONSEIL DE PROMOTION TOURISTIQUE DU MEXIQUE
Press
Release/Communiqué de presse:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Guelaguetza,
Oaxaca’s Main Event of the Year
On July 21st and 28thOaxaca’s most important festival will take place, the
Guelaguetza. Celebrating “Lunes del Cerro” at 10
a.m.
and 5 p.m. the Guelaguetza begins with events and rituals such as
the “Calenda”,aparade that takes place
on Saturday before the first Monday celebration; the “Chirimiteros”,
musicians playing pre-hispanic instruments; the election of who will
perform the “Centeotl”, the Corn’s Goddess, and the “Octava”,
performances which take place the second Monday.
As every year, and during the
whole week, representative groups from Oaxaca’s seven regions will showcase
a part of their extended cultural heritage through their dances,
gastronomy, traditional clothes, and more.
The
Guelaguetza has its roots in the cult of Centéotl, the corn’s goddess. It
comprehends several cultural activities and celebrations that commemorate, above
all, the traditions and feelings of the Oaxacan people in an atmosphere full of
color, music, history and pride.
The
festivities of “Lunes del Cerro” (Hill's Mondays,) where
everybody participates, are celebrated in OaxacaCity on two consecutive Mondays.
During the celebration, the main regions of Oaxaca (Valles Centrales, Sierra
Juárez, Cañada, Tuxtepec, Mixteca, Costa and Istmo de Tehuantepec,) give us a
taste of their rich cultural heritage through their dances, performed to the rhythm
of their music, while wearing traditional clothes; a sample of their culture
and a symbol of respect for the event.
Guelaguetza
is a Zapotec word, which means: participate and cooperate at the same time. It
is certainly a festivity that demands reciprocity. One of the most outstanding moments
is at the end of the festivity, when each group offers the audience their own Guelaguetza,
a gift of items typical of their region. This gift is offered to commemorate
the meaning of the Guelaguetza by integrating visitors to the celebration.
Other
folk events have been added to these festivities such as the “Calenda
Parade”. The parade takes place on a Saturday, prior to the first Monday
celebration. At the head of the “Calenda” goes the “Marmotas”
which are colossal spherical lanterns, followed by the “Chinas Oaxaqueñas”
(local women dressed in bright coloured silk skirts and blouses with ribbons in
their braids,) carrying baskets of flowers, accompanied by a music band and
fireworks.
The
same Saturday, the election of the person who will perform the Goddess Centeotl
takes place in the main square. She is chosen not because of her beauty but because
of her knowledge of the community’s traditions.
Monday
morning, the “Chirimiteos” (pre-hispanic instruments music players)
gather to play “Las Mañanitas” at the hill, joined by whistles and
drums. In the meanwhile, a marimba band welcomes the audience as it arrives.
Eventually a delicious local-style breakfast is served. The Guelaguetza takes
place at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The "Octava" is the second Monday, where some of the performances
that took place on the first Monday are repeated, “Bani Stui Gulal”,
the Guelaguetza, and The legend of the Princess Donaji, among others. This is
great opportunity to explore the Oaxacan culture by sharing the celebrations
with the community, and together enjoy and participate on the traditional
activities this region has.
During these festivities the popular enthusiasm is tangible, ensuring that
these ancient traditions will be pass to future generations and celebrated right
in the heart of Oaxaca, at the Guelaguetza Auditorium.
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