On the last Monday of July, they were dancing all over the state as many villages present their own versions of the guelaguetza with all the dances, but in more intimate settings than the official version in the auditorio.
The Villa de Etla has been doing it for a few years and, this year, they had not only a morning edition, but also an afternoon performance.
A covered stage was erected on the newly restored plaza in front of the market where about a thousand people gathered to watch all the dances and to be invited to join in as well.
As in many of these local guelaguetzas, in Etla, most all of the dances were performed by a folkloric group with some very fine dancers, like this young man. His enthusiasm was contagious.
Many of the classic looks were on display.
A boda or wedding was a part of this Zapotec performance.
And they danced...
Good to see, once again, so many young people involved.
And in the audience, as well.
And lots of wonderful dancing by a talented group of dancers.
In several dances, part of the action is a mock bull fight in which one dancer taunts the other with a red cloth.
What follows is often hilarious, as the bulls, in this case, the women, proceeded to hip check and trip the men until they are knocked off their feet and, sometimes, knocked entirely off the stage.
And so ends this year's guelaguetzas, always intense and tiring, but I'm already looking forward to next year. Be there or Be Square... but book early. This year the hotel occupancy was said to be 99%!
