La Boda de Enrique y Fermina... cont.

There are so many aspects to a zapotec wedding, it makes sense to take them on one at a time.  Over time, I will try to present the whole event, but really that's impossible, for Teotitlan del Valle has a deep and complex series of rites and traditions, too much for your humble narrator to comprehend.  The most interesting aspect for me was the strict formality, primarily based on respect, that was present at all times.

Plus, you can't smell or taste a blog.
So let's start with the mole.
Mother of the bride, Emilia, who IMO makes the best mole in the world, gets ready.  In truth, the mole was made by Abigail Mendoza, one of the bride's aunts and a famous cook from nearby Tlaminalli Restaurante.  I am not sure how it all worked, but Emilia assembled the mixture and got the process going.
Big enough pot?  That's son, Antonio in the background.

Chiles guajillos

Jitomates.

  Emilia's son, Sergio, who gets marrried in May, adds the chiles.

Mixing the ingredients.  Herbs, sesame seeds, onions........

Way too many things to list and if I told you then I would have to kill you.... hey, it is secret.
Off to the molino to get the mixture ground into paste.



The paste after cooking overnight.

Abigail working her magic.

 Turkeys ready for the sauce.

While the women were making the mole, the men were off killing the turkeys, about 80 for this wedding.  Yes, I have that whole process, but for now just enjoy the mole.
The meal, the first of many mole meals.

Men and women are separate through all aspects of the ceremony.  Here are the mujeres enjoying the meal.