I hope you will permit me just one more Noche de Rabanos (Night of the Radishes) post. The Totomoxtle Decorado category wouldn’t be complete without showing this year’s entry, “Los huehuentones de Huautla de Jiménez” by Moisés Ruíz Sosa, last year’s first prize winner, who just happens to be the brother of this year’s winner, Marco Antonio Ruíz Sosa.
Much of the work by Moisés, at least that I have seen, uses natural and dyed corn husks to recreate traditional dance scenes. This year’s inspiration came from the Mazateco Day of the Dead celebrations.
After the souls are released, their spirits are transformed into different forms personified by the Huehuentones (people of the navel — born from the center of the earth) who serve as a link between the departed and the living.
Beginning October 27, they roam the streets and visit families, house by house, to play and sing Mazatec themes of family, famine, traditions, customs, current events, politics, etc.
What captivates me most is the attention to detail and reverence for traditions by Moisés.
Learning their craft from their mother, Moisés and Marco are a couple of very talented brothers!
Great photos!
Gracias, Alana.
Wow! Wow! Wow! The detail in this entry is absolutely amazing! This is something you miss by just passing by the stalls quickly – and from a distance. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures. BTW, what do Moisés and Marco do for a living? Is there someplace we can go to see their work in person?
Sylvia, this is contact information for Moisés and Marco from the Lake Chapala, Feria Maestros del Arte website:
Calle Cesar A Ruiz 114
Colonia del Maestro
Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca
951 236 9813, 951 119 1551 cellphones
Would it be possible for you to add my husband to your distribution list? His name is Nicholas Maistrellis. His email address is:
nicholas.maistrellis@sjc.edu
Thanks, Judy
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Judy, Thanks so much for your interest. Unfortunately, I’m unable to add people. Your husband must click on the “Want to follow” box, on the right side of the blog, under the exchange rate box.
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful photos allowing me to see this remarkable work from my home in Annapolis.
So glad you like!
Wonderful, inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Barbra!
I have to say that totomoxtle is my favorite, and these are the perfect examples why! I didn’t see this at the time I was there, and it is wonderful!
The totomoxtle also always captivate me, too. However, I realize that the corn husks and flor inmortal can be assembled beforehand. Whereas the rabanos must be carved much closer to the exhibition time, in order to stay fresh. They are all amazing!
The best pics of the entries were made when it was midnight when I got (in line) up to the entries . I had to use flash and the background was black.
You are intrepid! I keep thinking that one of these years I should brave the lines at night.
A beautiful collage put together ! Happy new Year Shannon !
¡Feliz año nuevo Archie!
We were there, and enjoyed it all! Would love to spend another Christmas in Oaxaca. Love your blog! Thanks for introducing me to Oaxaca
Thank you so much for reading. Hope you return; Oaxaca is such an inspiring place!