March 8 is International Women’s Day and in commemoration, photos of the women devils at San Martín Tilcajete’s Carnaval celebration. By the way, women devils are a recent and welcome innovation.
“The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren’t enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.” (https://www.internationalwomensday.com/theme)
This afternoon, women and their supporters will take to the streets of Oaxaca not in celebration but to remember, commemorate, and raise awareness and respect for women raising their voices for equality and equity.
You sent me scrambling through the photos we took, and I didn’t spot one woman in the processions. Somehow, we completely missed them. I left convinced the Carnaval celebration pageantry still was all-male. We did encounter numerous women in the cooking area preparing vats of chicken liver stew for Wednesday morning. Happy to learn they are now liberated to join the ranks of the devils. Thanks for picking them out of the crowd.
I remember seeing a few women in the past, but this year it was striking!
Visually stunning body art and very much appreciated your links and narrative. As we used to say, “You go girl”(s). Thanks!
It was great to see them and how beautifully they were decorated!
Wonderful! Makes me want to paint myself.
Me too, until I think of trying to wash it all off!
WOW! Spectacular body art!
They were SO creative!
I love the creativity but am horrified by the application of motor oil, which contains chemicals known to cause cancer. I would also be concerned if there is any lead or toxic chemicals in the colors being used. The skin is the largest organ of the body and drinks in whatever you put on the surface. Hopefully someone can raise awareness of the health issues for these artists and the need to look for safer alternatives.
Yes, it is a concern but I think there is a growing awareness — thus some are using vegetable oils and natural dyes. I suspect cost as well as tradition are factors that can’t be discounted.
Did you happen to see the solo performing “clown” — a man dressed as an old pregnant woman carrying a basket of dolls (babies) who had a rebozo filled with another baby? She went around grasping people’s hands, putting them on her “pregnant” belly and asking if they were the ones who got her in that predicament. She also had a large cucumber which she wielded in front of the members of a band, asking the same question. They laughed uproariously.
Yes, I saw him!
It would be great to have an explanation of how the Carnaval is organized. It appears that there are “schools”, each helping the next generation learn the art of carving & decorating alebrijes. How many such “schools” are there? Or, what is the history of Carnaval and how it is organized in Tilcajete? Perhaps you’ve already written about it….
In blog posts from previous years (https://casita-colibri.blog/?s=carnaval+tilcajete). I’ve written more about the history of Carnaval in Mexico and more on how it’s celebrated in SMT. The traditions are passed down within families and their carving/painting workshops.