Celebrating Festivals

Having recently shared a piece on Quincinieras or the passage into adulthood of girls in Mexico, I wished to expand it to children and young folks celebrating holidays at various times of the year. With all the fanfare associated with this holiday season religious festivals are upon us. Here, in San Miguel de Allende, we just experienced the celebration of the pregnancy of the Virgin Mary (!) and, a week later, the Virgin de Guadelupe, an impressive example of the interweaving of two cultures: Pre-Colombian and Catholic. Venerating saints may also involve street processions, bells announcing the time to go to church and of course, the ubiquitous cohetes or fireworks that arouse you in the night.

Even after 15 years as an ex-pat in Mexico, I remain impressed by how extensive such festivals, some involving pilgrimages from the campo, remain. Christmas will continue through January 6th, or Three Kings Day, while the Day of the Dead involves three days. Best of all, is how multiple generations participate in these special moments marking different times of the year. Right now, for nine nights (symbolizing the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy), many open their doors for posadas or lodgings, re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter. Small door to door processions with traditional music, and, thanks to the “innkeepers”, the ultimate savoring of warm ponche, a type of fruit drink, all with tamales and sweets are a highlight that overshadows any Western commercialization such as the kitschy decorations sold in the market.

Thanks, however, to deep-seated customs involving the extended family, neighbors, teachers, the clergy — the whole town actually — children are more “woven” into the community. Of course, as throughout the world, is the ubiquitous presence of cell phones and all they entail.

Still, as some of my photographs below illustrate, costumes, masks, face painting, crowns and other adornments, are alive and well. For sure, they make for a bonus for kids. (I certainly remember sneaking into my mother’s closet to try on a dress and high heels.)

And so, as a little end of year gift, I’ll take you back from the recent Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead through to the Dia del Señor de la Conquista with its elaborate Azteca dances and finally to Palm Sunday and Pasqua or Easter.