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Archive for July, 2022

Guelaguetza time in Oaxaca

Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, calendar of events, folkloric dance, Guelaguetza, List of delegations, Live streaming, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations on July 25, 2022| Leave a Comment »

After a two-year hiatus, La Guelaguetza is back. Papel (actually, plastic) picado, in the colors of the rainbow, is draped over the streets, Tiliches (iconic participants at Carnaval in Putla de Guerrero and this year’s chosen image to represent Guelaguetza) are hanging around on sidewalks, walls, and rooftops, and the streets are filled with tourists, both foreign and domestic.

*Decorations hanging above Calle de Miguel Hidalgo in Barrio de Jalatlaco.*

*Tiliche hanging around Barrio de Jalatlaco.*

This morning, the dancing will begin at the Guelaguetza Auditorium on Cerro del Fortín. The list of delegations by date, time, and the dance they will be performing follows.

*July 25, 2022, 9:00 AM delegations and dances.*

*July 25, 2022, 5:00 PM list of delegations and dances.*

*August 1, 2022, 9:00 AM list of delegations and dances.*

*August 1, 2022, 5:00 PM list of delegations and dances.*

Please note, next Monday evening’s performance will include the previously mentioned Teotitlán del Valle, Danza de la Pluma Promesa 2022-2024. If you are not in Oaxaca or, like me, don’t have tickets, you can watch courtesy of CORTV via television, their website, and Facebook live.

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Invitation to July

Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged canastas, convite, Danza de la Pluma, danzantes, Fiesta de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, procession, religious celebrations, Templo de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo, Teotitlán del Valle, video on July 22, 2022| 3 Comments »

The annual convite at the beginning of July in Teotitlán del Valle has not only been an invitation to the village’s patronal festival honoring Preciosa Sangre de Cristo. For me, it has also served as an invitation to a month of non-stop celebrations and events — an excuse to set aside my daily routines and chores and, instead, revel in the color and culture on display in the streets of the city and the small towns dotting the valley of Oaxaca.

*The church, Preciosa Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, ready and waiting for the convite to begin.*

*Picacho, the sacred mountain envelops the community in its protective arms, as the canastas and unmarried young women and girls of the village take their place in line for the convite.*

*Boys clutching their mini marmotas patiently wait for the deafening sound of the cohetes (rockets) signaling the convite’s start.*

*Boys and their mini marmotas at the head of the convite — accompanied by a few dads, big brothers, uncles, and officials to keep them in line.*

*Two monos (new addition this year) and one of several gigantic marmotas follow close on the heels of the young boys.*

*Of course there is a band to set the tempo.*

*Arms raised, contingents of unmarried women and girls carry canastas decorated with religious imagery.*

*Most are dressed in the valley’s traditional enredos (wool wrap skirts) and colorfully embroidered white blusas from Oaxaca and Chiapas.*

*In this Zapotec villlage, the beauty of the faces and strength of their arms are a sight to behold — especially Beatriz (foreground), who is very dear to my heart.*

*A second band marks the approach of the danzantes.*

Danzantes of the *Danza de la Pluma Promesa 2022-2024 alternately march and dance their way along the cobblestone streets.*

*Picacho watches as the danzantes wend their way along the meandering streets of Teotitlán del Valle.*

*Villagers watch as danzantes Moctezuma, Malinche and Doña Marina, followed by another marmota, and town officials mark the last of the convite’s participants.*

After almost an hour, the convite and its contingents returned to the church atrium. Their work, of extending an invitation to the festival, is finished — until next time!

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And so July begins

Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Religion, Travel & Tourism, tagged convite, countryside, Danza de la Pluma, La Mano Mágica, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, Preciosa Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo., Teotitlán del Valle on July 10, 2022| 11 Comments »

Yikes, I realized it’s been nine days since my last blog post. Time does, indeed, fly when you’re having fun. And, fun is what I’ve been having, especially during the last four days.

*July 4, 2022 – Convite in Teotitlán del Valle for their patronal festival honoring Preciosa Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo.*

*July 5, 2022 – Morning hike in the hills of Teotitlán del Valle.*

*July 5, 2022 – Afternoon presentation of the Danza de la Pluma in honor of Preciosa Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo in Teotitlán del Valle.*

*July 6, 2022 – Full day of Danza de la Pluma honoring Preciosa Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo in Teotitlán del Valle.*

*July 7, 2022 – Calenda celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Galería La Mano Mágica in Oaxaca city.*

More on the convite, Danza de la Pluma, hike, and calenda to follow. But, first, a return to Teotitlán del Valle today for the final Danza de la Pluma presentation for this festival.