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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 30, 2016 23:15:17 GMT
I don't have to explain Oaxaca celebrations to any of you anyporters, as you've seen enough of them online here to recognize them even on Mars. Nevertheless, the late afternoon light was so wonderful yesterday when I took the dogs for their stroll, that I thought everyone might enjoy looking at the festivities. Oaxaca is celebrating its 484th anniversary of having been officially named a city by the Spanish in 1532, although of course it is several millennia older than that. The fireworks that proceeded this fandango were shaking my house. As I leashed up the dogs I heard the band but still almost didn't take my camera, thinking that it would be more of the same. It was, but a visual treat and fun, as always ~
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Post by htmb on Apr 30, 2016 23:19:44 GMT
Oh, what fun! With the skirts swirling around, I can just imagine the sound of music, too.
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 30, 2016 23:23:47 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 30, 2016 23:26:04 GMT
Thanks, Htmb! Yes, I get too blasé because this kind of celebration is so common here. But when I let myself, I again realize how pretty and how much fun it is.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2016 4:02:31 GMT
Great pictures. Looks like the Spanish may have brought Christianity with them.  |
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Post by mossie on May 1, 2016 7:56:34 GMT
The contrast between those wonderful dresses and the nuns is way OTT
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Post by breeze on May 1, 2016 12:29:42 GMT
I think I recognize one of the women from a previous fiesta. In the photo of three women with baskets on their heads, the woman in front, pink scarf and smiling, looks familiar to me.
Maybe she's in demand for fiestas. I'm sure you recognize many of the people if they're from your neighborhood.
In the photo of the young women eating sandwiches, each one has a plaid scarf over her left arm that doesn't seem to go with the rest of the outfit. Does the scarf signify anything--neighborhood, a specific church...Scottish clan? Maybe the answer will become clear as you put up more photos. Which I hope you will. It's always sunny in Oaxaca.
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Post by bixaorellana on May 1, 2016 17:11:23 GMT
Great pictures. Looks like the Spanish may have brought Christianity with them. Gee, ya think?!  The contrast between those wonderful dresses and the nuns is way OTT I might have known you'd pick up on that, Mossie, with your great photographer's eye. Thanks for catching it! Breeze, thank you for the kind encouragement.  Re: recognizing the dancer ~ you have a keen eye! Very likely she is in some other fiesta picture. I mean, there can't be that many dancers. (can there?) As far as the dancers being from my neighborhood, it's more that I live quite close to the streets where these activities take place. Look at the glary 4th picture down in the 2nd set of photos. If you walk up to that white wall, turn right, then go a half block, turn left and walk another half block, you'll be standing in front of my house. Re: the "plaid scarf" ~ what you are seeing is the macraméd ends of their rebozos wound around their wrists, giving a sort of plaid effect. The rebozo absolutely typifies traditional dress for Mexican women. In the 6th picture down, three of the women are using the traditional black Oaxacan rebozo. But many of the colored ones are multi-colored on the macramé part. (not my pictures) Here is a closeup:  Click here for an even closer look. |
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Post by lugg on May 2, 2016 8:43:07 GMT
A real treat as ever - such wonderful colours and you even captured a smiling nun !
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Post by nycgirl on May 3, 2016 18:40:37 GMT
I never get tired of seeing your snapshots of these colorful festivals. They really make me feel like I'm there.
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Post by bixaorellana on May 5, 2016 17:47:49 GMT
Thank you so much, Lugg. That nun must have a particularly sweet disposition, as it was quite hot that day. I appreciate that, NYCGirl, particularly in light of the fact that I'm only looking forward to my next trip, so sort of bored with my everyday surroundings. Of course that's precisely the attitude I exhort against to other anyporters.  |
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Post by mich64 on May 5, 2016 18:16:47 GMT
I am enjoying your everyday surroundings! I also like how the ladies mix their braids with some colorful fabric to match their skirts. |
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Post by bixaorellana on May 8, 2016 14:51:24 GMT
Ah, thanks, Mich ~ you always know the right thing to say! The braid thing is very traditional, although not always with such fancy ribbon. Many older ladies in markets and around town routinely do their hair that way. These two pictures are from my Abastos market thread:   |
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Post by bjd on May 8, 2016 16:58:23 GMT
Just catching up with more photos now that I'm at home with a proper computer connection.
Is there a festivity every day in Oaxaca or does it just seem that way? To add to Mossie's comment, it must be tough to become a nun in Mexico -- having to change all those colourful clothes for permanent black.
Are any of these groups "professional" in the sense that they would participate in various festivities as a job or are they local associations or groups that perform for specific occasions?
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Post by bixaorellana on May 11, 2016 19:38:56 GMT
The short answer to your question about daily festivities is "yes". The longer answer is that that there are some days where there don't seem to be any parties, but probably there are at least some family celebrations with lots of food and cake and either live music or a rented sound system. Because of where I live -- on the procession route of a nearby church and also close to two pedestrian streets -- I'm aware of much of the festivity. When I lived out in the country, the music wafting over the fields was evidence of parties. Ha ~ maybe it's a relief to become a nun in Mexico & not worry with all that braiding, all those petticoats, etc. It's taken me so long to answer your pro dancer question because I was seeking information, although some of this is conjecture: There are many groups that dance as a hobby, both casually and as part of civic organizations. It's probably easy to contact them and set up an arrangement. Certainly any park will have people practicing dancing on a regular basis. Apparently some of the groups are in demand and will charge. I can't imagine that all those dancers I see standing in the hot sun in front of Sto. Domingo waiting for their wedding party to emerge are not charging. However, there are a fair number of recitals that are presented publicly simply for the love of the dance. As far as music, there are zillions of bands ready to take to the streets and liven up your party. I'm pretty sure that all of them will charge for the service. For non-street parties, there are trios, rock bands, singers, keyboardists, and mariachi. |
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Post by whatagain on May 14, 2016 20:57:23 GMT
Love it. Mightexplain in more words tomorrow but these pics make me want to come back.
tomorrow. Today I'm tired and the wine was good.
But thanks for this thread.
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