Last night, just about this time, a posada through the calles of Teotitlán del Valle was arriving at the home where Mary and Joseph would find shelter for the night. Each night, images of Mary and Joseph wander the streets looking for refuge. The posadas began on December 15 and will last through December 24, la última posada, and the arrival of Jesus.
Women and men arrive at the home where Mary and Joseph had spent the previous night.
Prayers are said in front of the images of Mary and Joseph and then women line up on one side and men on the other, as the procession begins.
There is a band. Actually, there are two bands. The first, at the front of the procession, plays a dirge-like tune and the second, back near the statues of Mary and Joseph, plays marching music (think, John Philip Sousa).
Naturally, there are fireworks. These are the pyrotechnic guys, waiting to lead the parade.
Mary and Joseph en route. Please note, they are carried by young, and from what I was told, unmarried women.
Primarily lit by elaborate beeswax velas labradas (carved candles), the procession wound its way through Teotitlán del Valle.
Through the uneven cobblestone streets, young and old walked for over two hours. It was massive and it seemed as if the entire village was either in the parade or watching.
Eventually, we arrived at the home where Mary and Joseph would be given refuge for this night. There was no mistaking this was the destination — it was lit up like a Christmas tree.
Inside, there was more religious ritual, but outside, there were sparklers!
(ps) If anyone has any tips for taking photos of nighttime processions of people under challenging lighting conditions, please feel free to offer your suggestions. Muchisimas gracias.
I have no tips for photography, but loved your photos! Thanks for sharing, Anne
Thanks! Happy to be able to share.
Take a workshop 🙂
I know, but was hoping for a tip or two before Christmas Eve posadas. 😉
I spent the days before Christmas in Oaxaca once, years ago, and it was so magical…….. thanks for sharing these photos! They brought back wonderful memories!!
My only regret from that trip is that we had to leave the on the day of the “Night of the Radishes’…. had I known about it beforehand, we would have stayed through Christmas!
Happy to trigger magical memories.
What kind of camera do you use? The type of camera you use makes all the difference in the world. You need a camera with a fast lens or just use a flash which you would bounce off a wall and have the light land on their faces, although most indigenous people don’t like having a flash going off in their face during a religious event such as this. It looks like you used a flash in one of the photos. A tripod can be used as well or take your flash and move the flash upward covering it with a piece of white paper so it isn’t as obtrusive and create a bounce that way. Good luck!
Thanks for responding, Billy! I have a new Canon PowerShot SX50. Yes, I used the camera’s pop-up flash (dialed down) on two of the shots, but as you said, the flash is intrusive and not very welcome. And, trying to use a tripod during a moving procession going up and down hills on uneven cobblestone streets is also problematic. Christmas Eve posadas will be coming into the zócalo in the city and the lighting should be a little better. We shall see…
You are limited with the built in flash that comes with your camera. You might considering purchasing this flash available from Canon:
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/lenses-flashes/speedlite-flashes/speedlite-430ex-ii?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=Google_Product_Feed&cm_mmc=GA-_-Camera_Lenses-_-G_Canon_Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-17302
This flash can rotate and do more than the flash that came with your camera. With this type of flash you can do bounce lighting rather than straight on lighting. Good luck!
Billy, thanks for the flash recommendation… something to consider when next I’m in the US.