Another magical Domingo de Ramos spent in San Antonino Castillo Velasco. Experiencing Palm Sunday in this small Zapotec village never fails to nourish the soul.
A band played outside the panteón as villagers, from niños and niñas to abuelas and abuelos, arrived bringing their biggest and most beautiful fruits and vegetables, breads and baked goods, carved wooden toys and embroidered clothing, not to mention, goats, chickens, rabbits, and even a pig or two. Three silver-haired abuelas inspected each donation; their faces expressing gratitude and appreciation for each offering, as they affixed a price tag. Following the procession to the templo and a mass, all would be sold to raise money for the work of the church.
These were offerings to San Salvador, who sat proudly atop el Señor del Burrito, who was up to his ears in produce and bread.
At 11:00 AM, after prayers were offered in gratitude and for continued abundance in this fertile valley, led by the beat of two tambors and the high-pitched lilt of a chirimía, a procession to the church began. Palm crosses were distributed to villagers and visitors, alike, and many carried (or led, in the case of the livestock) the offerings that had been collected.
Once secured, it took twenty men to hoist and carry the bounty-laden anda, with San Salvador and the burro, a ritual reenactment of the Biblical story of Jesus entering Jerusalem riding on a burro to celebrate the Passover. As the procession made its way to the church, the rhythmic sounds were occasionally overpowered by shouts warning the men of topes (speed bumps) and low hanging telephone wires that must be navigated, and then there were the stairs leading up to the church atrium.
I cannot begin to express how warm and welcoming the people of San Antonino Castillo Velasco were. Countless times, as I was taking photos, officials encouraged me to come closer and villagers ushered me to the front. How many magical experiences can one person have?
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