Reason number 579 why I love Oaxaca…
Today was the first day of a way-too-short first time visit to Oaxaca by a couple of California gal pals — an orientation walk through El Centro was the order of the day. And what did we stumble upon in front of the Government Palace? Danzantes waiting to perform a couple of the dances from the Danza de la Pluma.
They began dancing and I flashed on Saturdays’ blog post, Danzantes in training. However, these guys definitely weren’t apprentices — they had the steps and jumps down WITH those heavy and seemingly unwieldy penachos on their heads — and the crowd cheered.
The danzantes and most of their gathered audience were from San Bartolo Coyotepec, about 15 km south of the city. It’s a village known for the artisans who make black pottery. However, along with the band and dancers, there were banners and protestors.
According to this article (in Spanish), “they arrived at the presidential palace in the main square of the city to demand the replacement of the elections because the process was considered seedy and does not represent the will of the community.”
Culture and politics… I couldn’t have arranged a more quintessential Oaxaca experience, if I had tried. And my friends, what did they think? They loved it all!
I love your posts regarding Oaxaca. Your posts pull me to Oaxaca.
My wife and I will be there for the celebration of the Day of Dead.
Muchisimas gracias for your kind and encouraging words. Muertos is a wonderful time to visit. I’m sure you will have a great time!
That is what struck me about Oaxaca. Every time you turned a corner there was another parade, wedding celebration, art project, protest…..It is such a magical place. Thank you for giving me a bit of the experience! Warms my heart.
You just never know what you will come across!
Thanks for your note, very interesting, greetings from San Bartolo Coyotepec, I’m the danzante with the orange penacho and green shirt. Hope to see us this coming Saturday (april 5-2014/ 17:00 hrs) in Plaza de la Danza in our performance we have been training for last two saturdays.
Gracias for reading my blog. I will come to the Plaza de la Danza on Saturday!
Abdiel, here is my video from last night’s Danza de la Pluma at the Plaza de la Danza: https://casitacolibri.wordpress.com/2014/04/06/danzantes-on-the-plaza/
[…] danzante with the orange penacho and green shirt” seen in a photo from my blog post, Speaking of Danzantes, that had me making a special point to attend. Muchisimas gracias a Abdiel for the tip. I hope […]