July in the valley of Oaxaca has begun! There will be festivals of mole, mushrooms, cheeses, and tamales. And, there will be the costumes, calendas, and music of Guelaguetza in the city and in several of the surrounding villages. But first…
Under a dark and threatening sky, the people of Teotitlán del Valle began their week-long Fiesta titular a la Preciosa Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo (Festival to the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ). Wearing traditional embroidered blouses and wool skirts woven in this Zapotec village known for its weaving, the unmarried young women and girls gathered in front of the church (Templo de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo) for the convite (procession) that kicks off Teotitlán’s most important fiesta of the year.
The rain held off and the procession left the confines of the church courtyard.
Marmotas (giant cloth globes), music, and pyrotechnics led the way…
along with little boys holding canes of carrizo and poles topped with small marmotas, fluffy sheep, and airplanes (don’t ask me).
And then came the young women and girls, carrying canastas with images of the saints on their heads. I have to note here, these baskets are REALLY heavy. I know, because last year one of the gals asked if I’d like to try — I did for all of about five seconds. They carry them for almost an hour!!!
Most of the residents came out to watch at prime viewing locations. (Teenage boys were especially prominent, but they deserve another blog post.)
Under the watchful eye of El Picacho (the sacred mountain of Teotitlán), the procession wound its way up and down the cobblestone streets…
and eventually returned to the church courtyard, where it all began.
For more photos, including some of the pyrotechnic guys in action, check out Oaxaca-The Year After.
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View From Casita Colibrí 