What a glorious day! While over 10,000 people were watching the guelaguetza in the auditorio overlooking the city, I was in a much more intimate setting with a few hundred people in nearby Etla.
I feel so lucky to be close to both Reyes Etla and Etla for these wonderful celebrations of traditions and dances from the various regions of the state.
All the guelaguetzas share similar formats. Group after group comes out and performs, the only changes are in which dances are performed. Each is a little different, although there are always crowd favorites like the danza de la pluma,
the flor de piña,
the jarabe,
but there is always something new and different in each guelaguetza. This is because there are countless dances and variations, depending on which region is being represented. It is a big and diverse state. They could never fit all of them in one performance..... or could they?
So yesterday, it was Etla in all its glory. This is my market village, so I am there all the time, but yesterday was something special and folks sat on the steps facing the stage or under large canopies on either side. I always joke that I am a horrible person, which is probably true, but my time as a reporter taught me that you always have to get the shot and that means you have to get to the right spot to get it.... I was lucky and did.
So many beautiful moments. Mother and daughter.
Guelaguetza is really more than celebration and dance. It is a way of life in certain villages, a term that concocts shared wealth and shared debt. This woman's face says it better.
Four hours went by in a whirl.
Insuring that the traditions continue, there were plenty of young dancers. This girl could really hoof it with powerful heel and toe tapping and stomping. Really!
Tradition.... ¡Viva Oaxaca!
Lots of photos and video to go through. I get to relive it all again. What a blast, Oaxaca at its very best!
More in a bit.....
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