Confite in Teotitlan del Valle

It never fails to be an uplifting and powerful experience as the girls, young ladies and women of Teotitlan del Valle process through the streets carrying canastas adorned with flowers, flags and saints.  This was the annual celebration of the "Solemnes cultos religiosos en honor a la Santisima Virgen del Rosario."

Carrying these canastas is no piece of cake for the baskets are heavy and the women walk two or three k. at the very least.  I am not sure I could do it just carrying nothing, merely hold my hands up for that long.  They make it look easy.

I am not sure how many confites I have seen thus far, but no matter rain or sun, it is one beautiful tradition.  I think it may happen at least six times each year, but it seems like more.   I am always moved and struck by the beauty.

It is always fun to show up nice and early and watch as the people arrive.

It was pouring when we arrived, but the rain was very localized and it soon moved off leaving puddles, mud and glistening slippery streets.

It gets dark much earlier now and by the time the confite ends it is too dark for shots, so we concentrated on the assembling, the setup and the start.

Just so you know, this is a procession of unmarried women from the village.

 Some are very young and some are quite old.

There were even a couple of gringas marching and they were amazed at how hard it was to carry the baskets on their heads with their arms up for so long a distance.  One was carrying hers on her shoulder, unable to do what even the little kids could do.  I totally understand that one.

 ¡Viva los tradiciones!  ¡Viva Teotitlan del Valle!  Next fiesta in Teo is in December.  I'll be there.