Home soon and looking forward to returning to these sights…
View of Santo Domingo de Guzmán.
Metates and garlic — market day in Tlacolula de Matamoros.
Monos and marmotas waiting for a wedding at Santa Domingo de Guzmán.
Oaxaca, I love you.
Archive for the ‘Culture’ Category
Oaxaca te amo
Posted in Churches, Culture, Food, tagged garlic, market, marmotas, metates, Mexico, monos, Oaxaca, photos, Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Tlacolula de Matamoros on June 13, 2019| 3 Comments »
Dreaming Oaxaca
Posted in Buildings, Creativity, Culture, History, tagged Arturo García Bustos, Government Palace, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, Palacio de Gobierno, photos, popular travel destinations on June 8, 2019| 3 Comments »
I’ve been in el norte for a month and loving spending time with family and friends, but now dreaming Oaxaca dreams.
From the mural, painted in 1980 by Arturo García Bustos, depicting the history of Oaxaca in Oaxaca’s Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace).
The not so humble jícara
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Flora, Travel & Tourism, tagged Chiapas, earrings, gourds, indigenous peoples, jícara, jicalpextles, Mexico, murals, Museo Estatal de Arte Popular Oaxaca (MEAPO), Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, Tacuate women, tejate, Zapotec culture on June 6, 2019| 2 Comments »
As previously mentioned, I am currently in el norte. Visiting my family and friends has taken me from Oaxaca to New York, across the country to California, followed by Colorado, and then back to California. I have been on multiple airplanes, traversed through multiple airports, and been complimented multiple times on my earrings. We are not talking gold or silver filigree, we are talking about earrings made from jícara — the fruit of the Crescentia cujete (aka, Calabash tree). [Click on images to enlarge.]
Earrings are not the only things made from the dried fruit of these humble trees that grow in less-than-ideal environments. The Tacuate women of Santa María Zacatepec (Oaxaca) use them as hats.
The gourds are cut in half, washed, and with seeds removed, set out in the sun. Once dry, throughout southern Mexico, they frequently are lacquered, decoratively painted, and used as cups for tejate and other traditional beverages.
As youi can see, in Villa de Zaachila, in the valley of Oaxaca, this use is even celebrated in a Día de Muertos mural.
Larger jícaras, known as jicalpextles, are a specialty of Chiapa de Corzo (Chiapas). However, they have assumed a special role in the Zapotec village of Teotitlán del Valle (Oaxaca), where they are filled with handmade sugar flowers and carried during weddings, religious celebrations, and other important fiestas.
And, recently there was an exhibition of carved jícaras by Salomón Huerta and José Cruz Sánchez from Pinotepa de Don Luis (Oaxaca) at the Museo Estatal de Arte Popular Oaxaca (MEAPO). At last, the talent of the artisans who create these pieces is being given the recognition it deserves and their creations are being appreciated as works of art.
So, hurray for the not-so-humble jícara and the ingenuity and creativity of the indigenous peoples of the world whose traditions teach them to honor and not waste the gifts of planet earth.
I read the news today…
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Immigration, Politics, Travel & Tourism, tagged immigration, Lapiztola, Mal de Amor palenque, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, Santiago Matatlán, wall art on June 1, 2019| 5 Comments »
I’m visiting family and friends in el norte and trying not to get caught up in the constant barrage of ignorant, disgraceful, and infuriating news coming out of Washington D.C. However, sometimes it can’t be ignored.
This is all I have to say…
(If you don’t know and can’t figure out what “pendejo” translates to in English, click HERE.)
Another mural by Lapiztola on the side of the Palenque Mal de Amor outside Santiago Matatlán.
Doorway into Zaachila
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged Black and white photography, Fabián Calderón Sánchez, mural, Oaxaca, Sanez, street art, Villa de Zaachila, wall art, YNKL, Zapotec culture on May 28, 2019| 4 Comments »
From the land of Zaachila yoo (house of Zaachila)…
Villa de Zaachila pride in black and white by YNKL/Sanez.
Miscellaneous messaging
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged graffiti, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, street art, wall art on May 21, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Within a few blocks from home…
Miscellaneous messaging brought to you by the streets of Oaxaca.
International Museum Day
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Exhibitions, Travel & Tourism, tagged batik, color blue, Día Internacional de los Museos, exhibitions, indigo, International Council of Museums (ICOM), International Museum Day, Intervención Índigo, Mexico, Museo Textil de Oaxaca, Oaxaca, photos, Textile Museum of Oaxaca on May 17, 2019| 2 Comments »
May 18 is Día Internacional de los Museos (International Museum Day). Instituted in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the goal is to raise awareness of the role museums play in “cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.” Traditionally, the primary mission of museums has been collecting, conservation, communication, research, and exhibition. However, according to the ICOM:
Museums have transformed their practices to remain closer to the communities they serve. Today they look for innovative ways to tackle contemporary social issues and conflict. By acting locally, museums can also advocate and mitigate global problems, striving to meet the challenges of today’s society proactively. As institutions at the heart of society, museums have the power to establish dialogue between cultures, to build bridges for a peaceful world and to define a sustainable future.
The museums of Oaxaca seem to have embraced this expanding and dynamic role — exemplified by this past winter’s exhibition at the Museo Textil de Oaxaca, Intervención Índigo, created by Laura Anderson Barbata, in collaboration with The Brooklyn Jumbies, Chris Walker, and Jarana Beat.
Performance and textiles meld the Zancudos (stilt walkers) of Zaachila, Oaxaca with the Afromexicano devil dance of Guerrero, the color indigo (a natural dye important to indigenous cultures in both Mexico and Africa), batik and beading techniques of Africa, with political commentary about the realpolitik of the African diaspora in North America.
Indigo is one of the oldest natural plant based dyes, used all over the world and ritually embedded with symbolism and spirituality; power and nobility…. Barbata employs textiles hand woven and dyed in Burkina Faso,Guatemala and the United States. The color historically represents absolute truth, wisdom, justice, and responsibility.
So, get thee to a museum near you — you will, no doubt, be enriched, enlightened, and maybe even empowered.
Kites over the callejon
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged Anais Nin quote, kites, Mercado Sánchez Pascuas, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, trees on May 13, 2019| Leave a Comment »
On the way Mercado Sanchez Pascuas to restock the larder, for the past several months, this colorful scene has greeted me at the entrance to Callejon Hidalgo.
“Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.” — Anais Nin
Love among the ruins
Posted in Creativity, Culture, tagged Efedefroy, graffiti, Judy Garland, Mexico, Oaxaca, Pedro Infante, photos, popular travel destinations, stencil art, street art, wall art on May 7, 2019| 2 Comments »
Workin’ for a livin’ in Oaxaca
Posted in Celebrations, Culture, Flora, Food, Holidays, Travel & Tourism, tagged agave fields, castillo, construction workers, Día de los Trabajadores, Día del Trabajo, Día Internacional de los Trabajadores, International Workers' Day, labor, Labour Day, May Day, Mexico, mezcal palenque, Oaxaca, photos, vendors, workers on May 1, 2019| 6 Comments »
Happy International Workers Day!
Food vendors at the mercado in Teotitlán del Valle
Fireworks castillo builders in Oaxaca de Juárez
Flower vendor in the Villa de Zaachila market
Teamsters unloading maguey piñas near Santiago Matatlán
Snack vendor on market day in Tlacolula de Matamoros
Construction worker preparing a new roof, Oaxaca de Juárez
Life… brought to you by the workers of the world.
Market mural magic
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Markets, Travel & Tourism, tagged Mercado Sánchez Pascuas, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, Oaxaca 487th anniversary, Oaxaca 487th birthday, photos, popular travel destinations, street art, symbolic images, Taller de Artes Plásticas Rufino Tamayo, wall art on April 29, 2019| 3 Comments »
Since I went to the market today and we are on the topic of murals in Oaxaca…
The Calle Porfirio Díaz entrance to my “go to” Mercado Sánchez Pascuas has undergone a make-over to commemorate the 487th anniversary of the elevation of Oaxaca de Juárez to the status of city.
On April 25 (Oaxaca’s official birthday) city officials, market Board of Directors, and the artists gathered for the mural’s inauguration and ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Javier Santos, professor of sculpture at the Taller de Artes Plásticas Rufino Tamayo, explained that the mural represents a collection of symbolic images, contextualizing life in the city and market. How many of these symbols (many Prehispanic) do you recognize?
Javier Santos continued, “It is important that there is availability and openness on the part of the Municipal Government to bring people the great talent of Oaxacan artists through the exhibition of works in public spaces, because in them people have the opportunity to visualize the graphic quality of our state.” (Google translation)
Here is to the artists! May the magic of their creativity continue to illuminate the past, find truth in the present, and inspire the future.
And, let us hope the city of Oaxaca will see more mural construction and less mural destruction.
Zapata stays
Posted in Creativity, Culture, History, Music, Travel & Tourism, tagged Armarte, Emiliano Zapata, graffiti, Lila Downs, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, photos, song Zapata Se Queda, street art, Taller-Galeria Siqueiros, urban art, URTARTE, wall art on April 26, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Even if you’re dreaming of sitting on a beach with a book and glass of wine in hand, there are reminders that one hundred years ago, on April 10, 1919, Mexican revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata was assassinated.
In southern Mexico, in the words of Lila Downs, Zapata Se Queda (Zapata Stays) and remains a beloved martyr who continues to inspire.
And, to remind all to never forget, and continue the struggle. The cry of “not one more” echos from the streets.
Mural on the wall of Taller-Galeria Siqueiros on Calle Porfirio Díaz.
Splendors of red clay
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged artisan fairs, barro rojo, Esplendor del barro rojo, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, pottery, red clay, San Marcos Tlapazola on April 24, 2019| 4 Comments »
If one lives in Oaxaca long enough, the probability is high that you have purchased at least one piece of barro rojo pottery from the women of San Marcos Tlapazola. Goodness knows, I have over the years — lunch plates, pitchers and urns, small decorative dishes for salsa, and, of course, a comal. Alas, it’s hard to resist just another piece or two and so blogger buddy Chris (whose collection of barro rojo FAR exceeds mine) and I headed to San Marcos (44 km southeast of the city) last Sunday for the second day of their Esplendor Del Barro Rojo fair.
Oh, the pottery!
Women of San Marcos Tlapazola.
Red clay pottery and performance watchers.
Divinely light and flavorful higadito.
The temptation of red clay pottery.
The dignity and pride of an accomplished artisan (and fashionista).
It was a feast of pottery, food, music, dance, textiles, and warm and welcoming people. What more could anyone want on a Sunday afternoon? And, yes, I did buy a piece or two.
Restoration, phase one
Posted in Archaeology, Celebrations, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged archaeological zone, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, restoration work, Teotitlán del Valle, Zapotec ceremonial plaza on April 22, 2019| 10 Comments »
Yesterday, the village of Teotitlán del Valle and its Comité del Museo Comunitario (Community Museum Committee) welcomed the public to the inauguration of the first phase of the restoration of the archaeological zone beneath the Templo de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo. Before the arrival of the Spanish, the area had been a Zapotec ceremonial plaza.
Before: Teotitlán del Valle archeological site, December 2013
A little background: In 1553, Oaxaca’s Archbishop Albuquerque ordered the demolition of all Zapotec structures, including those in Teotitlán del Valle. And, as was the practice of the day, in 1581 the Dominican friars began building their church atop the original Zapotec ceremonial complex.
During: Teotitlán del Valle archeological site restoration, February 2019
They scavenged building materials from the Zapotec site (some can be seen in the exterior walls of the church) and tried to erase all evidence of the rich and complex belief system that was already in place.
During: Sidewalk supervisor dog keeps an eye on the restoration work at the Teotitlán del Valle archeological site, February 2019.
As regular readers of my blog know, I visit Teotitlán often and am always amazed at the construction projects that pop up — new buildings, additions to homes, and street repairs. However, this past February, when touring out-of-town friends around Teotitlán, I was surprised to see work being done in the archeological zone.
During: Teotitlán del Valle archeological site restoration, February 2019. Note the numbered pieces.
After three years of effort to obtain the necessary permits from the INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History), the work on the restoration of the “basement” began in January 2019. The end goal is to reclaim, rehabilitate, and restore the Prehispanic Zapotec ceremonial complex. Teotitlán’s site is concurrent with nearby Mitla, thus the presence of grecas, the fretwork that characterizes the site 15 miles to the southeast.
After: Teotitlán del Valle archeological site restoration inauguration day, April 22, 2019.
I’m looking forward to what the next phase will reveal! By the way, as is the custom in Teotitlán, this major civic event included not only speeches by gathered dignitaries, but also a procession, a performance of dances from the Danza de la Pluma, food, and a concert.
Preparing for the silence
Posted in Celebrations, Churches, Culture, Holidays, Religion, Travel & Tourism, tagged Easter, estandartes, Good Friday, Holy Week, Jesus, Mexico, Oaxaca, Pascuas, photos, Procesión del Silencio, Procession of Silence, religious banners, Viernes Santo, Virgin Mary on April 20, 2019| 2 Comments »
Late afternoon on Viernes Santo (Good Friday), images of Jesús and María gathered, blessings were offered, and all began to assemble on the Alcalá for the Procession of Silence.
Inside Templo de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo, as the Archbishop called upon the people to reflect on the day and improve as people.
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (Our Lady of Solitude) arrives to take her place on the procession route.
Standard bearers line the Alcalá to honor the arrival of the images of María and Jesús.
San Pedro (Saint Peter), the only apostle to arrive.
Jesús waiting in the Templo del Carmen Alto before he ventures out to take his place in the procession.
Another Jesús image emerges from the Templo del Carmen Alto to take his place on the Alcalá for the procession.
El Señor de Esquipulas ventures out onto Calle García Vigil, from the atrium of Templo del Carmen Alto, for his journey to join the procession on the Alcalá.
And now, please keep silent, the procession is approaching.
Want to translate this blog?
Where is Oaxaca?
Weather in Oaxaca?
What is the Exchange Rate?
Categories
-
Want to read recent posts?
- Oaxaca te amo
- Dreaming Oaxaca
- The not so humble jícara
- I read the news today…
- Doorway into Zaachila
- Still life in black & white
- Miscellaneous messaging
- International Museum Day
- Kites over the callejon
- Bicycles R Us
- Love among the ruins
- Tis the season…
- Workin’ for a livin’ in Oaxaca
- Market mural magic
- Zapata stays
- Splendors of red clay
- Restoration, phase one
- Preparing for the silence
- And so it begins…
- Heavy lifting
Archives
What tags are most used?
Want to email me?
-
This work by spixl is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Mexican Peso Converter
