This week Teotitlan del Valle, the Zapotec weaving village, celebrates the fiesta de Preciosa Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo with dancing and processions. This is the beginning of a three year commitment for the danzantes and we plan to follow them through their entire time as dancers. Last evening, a convite or procession of unmarried girls and women in traditional clothing carried canastas decorated with flowers and saints and paraded a long route through the streets of the village.
There were more women this year than I have ever seen, maybe over two hundred. It was, as always, a beautiful experience even though dark skies threatened. After spending so many years going to Teotitlan, we know a fair number of people and feel so happy to know a couple of the dancers, one of whom I have known since he was a very young boy. I feel happy and proud, but nothing like him and his family. More on the dancers in the next posts, but here are the latest incarnations of Monctezuma, Malinche and Doña Marina.
However, if you follow this blog you will know that it is really all about Bea, Beatriz Ruiz, who has graced these pages many times along with her family.
Here, Claudia, her mother, helps Bea get that heavy basket properly settled on her head for the long walk.
I remember her years ago carrying her canasta and look at her now, a young lady with all the beauty and pride of her family, village and heritage.
Ain't life great?
1 comment:
Yes, and thank you for your wonderful photos.
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