Día de Guadalupe, 2013

[bixaorellana]

I hope you all will enjoy this look at the festivities in Oaxaca's main park, El Llano, on December 12, the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The church at the north end of the park is dedicated to her. Children are brought to the church to be blessed and the park provides a great venue for all the rides, food stands and merriment involved in the festival.


The veneration of this manifestation of Mary the mother of Christ is nation-wide. For those not familiar, here's the Wikipedia entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe


If you read Spanish, you'll enjoy learning some new words. (I didn't know the name for bumper cars ) If you don't read it, Google translate turns out a reasonable version detailing the fun in the park: oaxaca.quadratin.com.mx/Inician-celebraciones-la-Virgen-de-Guadalupe-en-Oaxaca/


I've covered this event before here, starting at #23.


Anyway, enough yakking! I promise to keep my words to a minimum in this thread.

Let's hit the park ~~

[bixaorellana]

Stuff to win ~


Stuff to buy ~


And tons and tons of stuff to eat. The background of this picture is the area shown at the beginning of the Tacolandia thread, but every inch where an eatery or purveyor of snacks could be shoehorned was occupied.

[bixaorellana]

Whew! Let's get out of that crush & go up by the church.

   

There are dozens of photo booths set up around the church, but this one's a hoot. It's next to a stand selling food to make money for a seminary. Aspirants can photograph themselves as full-fledged priests.


How, oh how to choose a picture booth?






This booth is very popular, as it features a live donkey. Poor thing!

[bixaorellana]

Do you like your picture?


This is just a very small part of the line waiting to get into the church ~


The flower sellers strategically set up parallel to those waiting in line ~


In a momentary lull at the side door, I stick my camera in for a quick shot ~


Time for me to go. Back through the fun fair ~


As you can probably tell by the photos, it was an overcast day.
But on the way home I was treated to some late afternoon glory ~




Fin

[htmb]

The pictures are wonderful and I plan to go back over them again a little later when I have time to follow links. However, I must say the vibrancy of the color and sharpness of your photos really stands out at first glance. Beautiful!!!!!!

[nycgirl]

Nice coverage! As always, I enjoy seeing the colorful embroidered clothes and all the adorable little ones.

[lagatta]

Yes, the children are lovely and their parents and grandparents seem to think so too.

I have a young cousin (yes, he is Indigenous) who looked just like one of the little boys, but now he is a big bruising young man and a great hockey player!

By the way, those cars are autos-tamponneuses in French. I didn't know that word in Spanish either. What on earth does "gusanos" mean in that fairground context?

Do people react at all to there being a Latin American Pope? Of course Argentina is very far from Mexico, and Italo-Argentineans are a very different type.

Such beautiful photos - brava!

[htmb]

I love seeing your pictures of the children and their beautiful clothes, but especially liked the photo of the first little girl. Super pictures, Bixa!

[lola]

Just delightful, Bixa. Those beautiful people.

I also think it's a beautiful story, and that the tilma is likely miraculous.

[bixaorellana]

Htmb, thank you! You know I admire your skill as a photographer so much, so I treasure the compliment.

Thanks, NYCGirl. The textile arts are alive and well here, & there seems no end to the creativity. The kids were precious, even the little tired ones who cried and didn't want to be plumped into the middle of a fake scene, no they didn't!

Dec 15, 2013 1:21:47 GMT lagatta said:

Yes, the children are lovely and their parents and grandparents seem to think so too.

I have a young cousin (yes, he is Indigenous) who looked just like one of the little boys, but now he is a big bruising young man and a great hockey player!
Is it un-PC or demeaning to say that I find it an exceptionally beautiful way for humans to look?

By the way, those cars are autos-tamponneuses in French. I didn't know that word in Spanish either. What on earth does "gusanos" mean in that fairground context?
Does this answer your question? (click the two Spoilers below) ~~

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}{Gusano}

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}{Gusano driver}

Do people react at all to there being a Latin American Pope? Of course Argentina is very far from Mexico, and Italo-Argentineans are a very different type.
I haven't heard any comments about that, but maybe because I don't travel in the right circles. Also, maybe I shouldn't say it, but Mexicans don't seem too fond of Argentinians. For one thing, I believe they're longtime futbol rivals who are seen as arrogant & talking funny.

Such beautiful photos - brava!
Thank you!

Hola, Lola, y muchisimas gracias! Regardless of ones beliefs, there is something very moving about seeing a person in front of a picture of the virgin of Guadalupe, earnestly confiding as naturally as talking to a flesh and blood person. Who's to say it doesn't give spiritual strength?

[bjd]

The little kids look wonderful in those colourful costumes although so many of them don't look enthralled with being thrust into the photo places. They must find it rather overwhelming. I guess they have to get used to it.

I believe Argentinians have a bad reputation among other Latin Americans too -- less for talking funny than for arrogance.

[lagatta]

Yes, it is sort of like the stereotype about "Parisians". I was quite aware of the stereotype about the Argies. As for the accent, there are some Gallego influences (Plaza de Majjo, Urugajjo...) but it is more northern Italian (Genovese, Piemontese) than anything else. Especially the Rioplatense accents.

Thanks for the gusano. I was thinking gummy worms, all kinds of wormy things.

[Deleted]

And that sort of ride is called a "chenille" in France, lagatta! "Caterpillar"

Another great report, bixa, although I am wondering if Oaxaca is 'more' / 'less' / 'same' religious as the rest of the country. Are there any truly secular celebrations about which people get enthusiastic? I myself would probably get a bit depressed at the 'excess' of religious fervor after a while, just like when I see it in Iran, the Philippines or Saudi Arabia. Oh, I know that it is relatively harmless in Mexico compared to those other places, but it does seem to restrict the brainwaves when there is a blasphemy filter on one's life.

[bixaorellana]

Dec 15, 2013 7:24:51 GMT bjd said:

The little kids look wonderful in those colourful costumes although so many of them don't look enthralled with being thrust into the photo places. They must find it rather overwhelming. I guess they have to get used to it.

I believe Argentinians have a bad reputation among other Latin Americans too -- less for talking funny than for arrogance.

The only kids who looked completely okay with the picture-taking were the babies & that little girl who's obviously thrilled with her red outfit. When you're little & stuck in a crowd, there's nothing but boredom & a sea of adult legs.

The only Argentinians I've encountered have been friendly & pleasant, but I do know they tend to look down on Mexicans.

Dec 15, 2013 13:40:53 GMT lagatta said:

Thanks for the gusano. I was thinking gummy worms, all kinds of wormy things.

LaGatta, I never would have known if I hadn't seen the wormy ride.

Dec 15, 2013 16:40:52 GMT kerouac2 said:

And that sort of ride is called a "chenille" in France, lagatta! "Caterpillar"

I am inordinately thrilled by this bit of knowledge. To think I've worn caterpillar robes & slept under caterpillar bedspreads!

As for your question/comment, I had to think hard before answering. I do think you're being unduly judgmental without sufficient evidence, admittedly evidence that can only be garnered from living in a place.

This country is officially non-secular, although it's obvious that religious festivals are observed with zest. But they're so much fun! From my point of view, many of the religious celebrations are borderline secular, just as Christmas can no longer be considered a purely religious holiday in many supposedly Christian-majority countries. Obviously, many people are sincere in their religiosity, but I think much observance here is simply part of the rather exuberant regard for tradition that prevails here & over most of the country.

I also think that all the festivals (& yeah, a shockingly large number by Canadian/US/European lights) help the economy. From this thread & others where I've shown weekly markets, you can see how tiny eateries and other shoestring businesses provide a source of income that simply is not an option for people in some other countries -- the US for sure.

[mich64]

Market stalls, snacks, games, rides, costumes! Had to be a fun filled day. What is nice is that you can enjoy this all at your own pace. I liked your sneak picture into the church.

That box of wires is scary!

[Don Cuevas]

I am very fond of El Llano in Oaxaca. It's enjoyed by the community and has so many colorful and tasty events taking place there.

The Fiesta de La Virgen de Guadalupe takes place in my Michoacán pueblito on the 14th of December, rather than the 12th. It's because the parish priest can't say mass in one day at all the little capillas in his parish.

Here are some photos, for those interested.
tinyurl.com/nqjet23