Oaxaca-The Year After: Carnaval in San Martin Tilcajete

The here and now... and what and why

Complacency is a trap. At least that’s what I was thinking when I up and left the comfort of a Yankee prep school gig, where I taught music, amongst other things, for 28 years. There was also that life long career as a composer, musician and artist.

First, it was a year in St. Thomas, USVI, working as a reporter and shooting photography and then, a year in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Time passed.
More time passed and a year back in the Athens of America followed by a hasty return to Oaxaca where it is all happening.
A couple of years in San Sebastian Etla and now, just down the road in San Pablo Etla. Life is good.

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For additional photography please visit my flickr page.
You can find my music on Jango (World & latin - Worldbeat) and at iTunes and most online stores.
¡Soy consciente de todas las tradiciones del Internet!
If you are coming to Oaxaca, please contact me for tours or advice.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Carnaval in San Martin Tilcajete

This village, already famous for its many woodcarvers, is now one of the places to be for carnaval on Mardi Gras. And lots of people showed up this year, which is very good for the village. San Martin Tilcajete is one of Oaxaca's treasures, and one of my favorites, really a remarkable places filled with so many talented families of artisans. It is a must visit for alebrijes seekers. And yesterday, I loved seeing the carvers strutting their stuff.

What a beautiful mask.

A classic.

He's got the look.

There were so many different looks and styles.

And some very different masks this year. People here are so artistically inventive. It is an essential element in the social fabric here.... and the economy as well.