Oaxaca at its very best. The guelaguetza is one of major events of the year and this year is the bicentennial so the energy and emotion were overflowing, a joyous start to this two weeks celebration. Yes, it is a big tourist attraction and Oaxaca sure needs those tourist's pesos, but oaxaqueños are really doing it to share the dances and customs with each other, not really for the tourists. Oaxaca is a favorite destination for many Mexican tourists because of these traditions. And all is presented with such wonderful spirit and pride.
It is a time when the various regions of the state come together to share traditions, most evident in dress and dance.
Each group struts their stuff with accompanying band and marchers from the region.
For more information and the whole history,
click here. The desfile or calenda or parade on Saturday afternoon was simply spectacular as the groups walked a three kilometer route that ended up in front of Santo Domingo.
Here are the dancers with marmotas, the large globes. Think about dancing and carrying that for almost two miles. Yes, they take turns and they wear a belt, like a flog pole holder.
Aside from the beauty and the music, I was stuck by just how happy people were, both the participants and the huge crowds that lined the parade route. There are times in Oaxaca, when I feel so caught up in the sheer exuberance and joy of the moment, I forget everything else, swept away by the here and now. I think this is the way life is supposed to be. Oaxaqueños sure know how to do it.
The flor de piña dancers from San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec, always crowd favorites. Easy to see why.
And that's the thing. Normally, oaxaqueños are not all that happy to be photographed and lots of times, they ask that you not do it. However, for the guelaguetza, it is, "Here I am. Shoot me already."
And to be fair to the one blocked out in the shot.
There is a reason why oaxaqueñas are renown for their beauty.
These outfits, all the rags, are so similar to ones I shot in the Caribbean.
Same with these guys on stilts.
One can get pretty tired dancing on stilts for a couple of hours.
And it all happens again next Saturday. The whole two weeks are packed with events. Still time to come.
Oaxaca at its very best. The guelaguetza is one of major events of the year and this year is the bicentennial so the energy and emotion were overflowing, a joyous start to this two weeks celebration. Yes, it is a big tourist attraction and Oaxaca sure needs those tourist's pesos, but oaxaqueños are really doing it to share the dances and customs with each other, not really for the tourists. Oaxaca is a favorite destination for many Mexican tourists because of these traditions. And all is presented with such wonderful spirit and pride.
It is a time when the various regions of the state come together to share traditions, most evident in dress and dance. 
Each group struts their stuff with accompanying band and marchers from the region. 
For more information and the whole history, click here. The desfile or calenda or parade on Saturday afternoon was simply spectacular as the groups walked a three kilometer route that ended up in front of Santo Domingo.
Here are the dancers with marmotas, the large globes. Think about dancing and carrying that for almost two miles. Yes, they take turns and they wear a belt, like a flog pole holder.
Aside from the beauty and the music, I was stuck by just how happy people were, both the participants and the huge crowds that lined the parade route. There are times in Oaxaca, when I feel so caught up in the sheer exuberance and joy of the moment, I forget everything else, swept away by the here and now. I think this is the way life is supposed to be. Oaxaqueños sure know how to do it.
The flor de piña dancers from San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec, always crowd favorites. Easy to see why.
And that's the thing. Normally, oaxaqueños are not all that happy to be photographed and lots of times, they ask that you not do it. However, for the guelaguetza, it is, "Here I am. Shoot me already." 
And to be fair to the one blocked out in the shot. 
There is a reason why oaxaqueñas are renown for their beauty.
These outfits, all the rags, are so similar to ones I shot in the Caribbean.
Same with these guys on stilts.
One can get pretty tired dancing on stilts for a couple of hours.
And it all happens again next Saturday. The whole two weeks are packed with events. Still time to come.
1 comment:
Your blog is really cool. Glad you like México!
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