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Guelaguetza
The festivities of "Lunes del Cerro" are celebrated in the City of
Oaxaca the two following mondays after July 18th (Benito Juarez's deathday).
This ancient Indian festival is dedicated to the gods of rain and fertility.
Celebrations center around indigenous dance, music and elaborate costumes.
last 2 Mondays of July, after the deathday of Benito Juárez (July 18).
The original event, of pre-Hispanic origin, enacted reciprocal gift-giving and
ceremonies in honor of the Corn Goddess.
Dia
de la Independencia
Independence Day's ritual involves the reenactment of "Grito" or
cry for independence on the eve of September 16th as it was originally initiated
in 1810.
Dia
de Los Muertos
The Day of the Dead or the All Saints Day is celebrated with music, color
and vibrancy as the altars and grave sites are beautifully tidied and decorated
with marigold flowers, cockscomb, candles and food so as to welcome the brief
return of the departed souls and to rejoice in the life of the livings.
Food
of the gods festival
The region of Oaxaca is home to seventeen indigenous Indian groups,
resulting in a dozen of various cuisines which culminate into this celebration
of regional gastronomy. The festival is held during the first week of
October, allowing visitors to explore the flavors of Oaxaca, both pre-hispanic
and modern.
Virgin
de la Soledad
The cult celebration of the patron saint Virgin of Solitude is held every
December 18th, and is one of the most elaborate religious festivals in Oaxaca.
The church is filled with flowers, banners, candles and worshippers who
pilgrimage from all over the area to witness and join in the processions,
firework displays and a big markets in the Alameda and plaza by the Soledad
Church.
Noche
de Los Rabanos
The fanciful Night of the Radishes celebration takes place on December 23rd
as a sort of harvest festival in the Zocalo. Farmers and artisans display
hybrid and carved radishes depicting everything from nativity scenes, Oaxaca's
history-related theme to space travel. This event receives immense
interest from the tourists as well as the locals.
Christmas
The important aspect of Christmas in Oaxaca is family tradition, combining
religious faith with the indigenous values of sharing with one's neighborhood.
The children anticipate the dressing up of Mary and Joseph and the shepherds,
and the processions through the streets.
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