Early Saturday morning I was on my way to the doctor’s office, thus walking with purpose. However, turning onto Constitución, along the south side of Santo Domingo, I had to pause…
A photo shoot in progress? I didn’t actually have a doctor’s appointment, just dropping by for a consultation (common here), so I lingered.
HE was obviously modeling “glamed-up” Aztec. But SHE…
Hmmm… Japanese??? Of course not! Comparing it to images found in the codices, it, too, is an extremely stylized expression of the fashion and hair of some classes of Aztec women.
¡Muy hermosa!
Update: I think Sheri is probably correct. This may be a promotion for, or at least evoke, the annual reenactment of the Donají la leyenda, during Guelaguetza. It is the legend of Princess Donají, a Zapotec princess who was kidnapped and decapitated by rival Mixtecos. Her beautiful head was later found intact by a shepherd under a lily. The body and head were reunited and buried together near, what is now, the city of Oaxaca’s airport. The face of Donají appears on the official shield of the city of Oaxaca de Juárez.
The elevation and celebration of this story makes me wonder how today’s Mixtecos feel about it…
Do you know the legend of Doniji – the maiden who fell in love with a young warrior of the opposing clan? Was it the Mixtecs and Zapotecs? Something like that – maybe this is who they are. Very glamorous to be sure.
Sí. Zapotec princess kidnapped and killed by Mixtec. It will be performed the next two Sunday’s during Guelaguetza. So, you are probably right! Gracias, amiga.
There are those knowledgeable regarding the history of the Mexíca who believe Centéotl to be a later incarnation of the maize goddess Xilonen. In fact, there was a ceremony on 14 July in El Pañuelito celebrating this female aspect of Centéotl, so it is likely this is who the woman is portraying.
Thank you for your suggestion. Do you think the woman could be Evelin Acosta Lopez, the winner of the Centéotl competition that occurred in El Pañuelito the day before?
I think it must have been for the Oaxaca State Traditional Folk Dance Company performance of Centeotl. Some of the women in that performance wore these costumes though all my photos turned out too dark. In the link to my post about this performance you can see the men in these outfits. It was a fabulous performance.
http://alisonanddon.wordpress.com/2013/09/11/mexico-part-7-oaxaca-and-the-guelaguetza-festival/