Guelaguetza Celebration of Culture in Oaxaca, Mexico

 


"You're going to be in town for the Guelaguetza!!!", the local people excitedly exclaimed when we visited Oaxaca in July.

Posters with the words Guelaguetza are plastered about town and it appears to be an event involving dancing, music and costumes.

Since everything in Oaxaca seems to involve dancing music and costumes we asked the question:  

What is special about the Guelaguetza?

The Guelaguetza is special for two reasons.

  • It lasts an entire week.
  • You get to experience a variety of indigenous music, dance and food of Oaxaca all in one place

What is the Guelaguetza celebrating?

The purpose of the modern day Guelaguetza is to showcase and celebrate each region's indigenous culture. This is something you will find only in southern Mexico and not in the north.

The southern states of Mexico continue to maintain many of their indigenous cultures because the south was relatively untouched by the invasion of Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador that invaded Mexico in the 1600.

Many of the Mexican citizens in the state of Oaxaca do not know Spanish and only communicate in their native indigenous language. Oaxaca's two largest indigenous groups are the Zapotecs and the Mixtecs. The Zapotec tribe introduced

The Guelaguetza centuries ago as a ritual for their corn god. It has now morphed into a statewide celebration of all cultures in the region.

When is the Guelaguetza festival?

The Guelaguetza takes place between the two Mondays following July 16, except when Monday falls on July 18th which is the birthday of Portfolio Diaz. He is important as the native son of Oaxaca who became Mexico's president from1858 to 1872. 

Where is Guelaguetza celebrated?

The Guelaguetza is celebrated throughout the state of Oaxaca. The majority of the activities which interest the tourists take place in the City of Oaxaca because it is the capital of the state. A spectacular amphitheater atop Fortin Hill hosts the main event which is a week-long presentation of traditional dancers from each of the 8 regions of Oaxaca.

What will I see at the Guelaguetza?

The Guelaguetza is kicked off with a parade in the Zocalo on the first Monday and ends the same way on the next Monday. In between the first and last parade will be more spontaneous parades, called calendas, which spring up along the city streets. Calendas often display giant paper mache dolls, men on stilts, dancing, singing, you name it!

Hold out a small cup and watch it get filled with a shot of mezcal when the calendas pass by. 

The dancers are from a fishing regions and are throwing fish nets over the crowd.

The main event is held in the Cerro del Fortin which is an outdoor amphitheater high upon a hill. Dancers from all regions of the state of Oaxaca perform traditional dances. Sierra Juarez, La Canada, Tuxtepec, La Mixteca, La Costa, Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Central Valley, Sierra Sur and Papaloapan Basin.

You will need a ticket to see the show, but if you are unable to obtain a ticket, there are plenty of free activities everywhere.

What culinary treats are served at the Guelaguetza Festival?

The Guelaguetza is where you will find one of the largest diversities of food in any one area. Presenters are sharing not only their traditional costumes, dances, and music, but also their traditional foods.

Do you know there are seven different moles? We always thought there was just one- the chocolate one.

Try the yellow mole-that's our favorite!

The tlayuda is the signature dish in the city of Oaxaca, and other regions bring tropical fruit treats, tacos, barbeque, varieties of mezcal, etc. The list goes on and on.  

If you like music, dancing, parties, eating and/or mezcal, Guelaguetza is the place for you !

Music permeates the city. Town squares feature musicians playing traditional and modern instruments. Even the streets are often filled with music and dancing. 

Every calenda is accompanied by musical bands and traffic is halted, even foot traffic. The only path to the other side of the street is through the parade.

Dance your way through or catch one of the little candies tossed to the 

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