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GUELAGUETZA 2007
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Mark your calendar. 2007 celebrations are scheduled for July 23 and 30.
For those of you not familiar with the Guelaguetza, it is a folkloric dance festival held annually in Oaxaca Mexico and various other locations. The dances range from solemn to raucous expressions of local culture. Dancers are local young men and women that rehearse for the better part of the year--and the talent is first rate.
INDIGENOUS HISTORY
The central theme of the festival is a dedication to indigenous gods, particularly Centeotl, the Zapotec and Miztec goddess of corn.
The Sunday before the event a young woman is chosen to represent Centeotl. She is chosen on the basis of how well she represents her community.
The word "Guelaguetza" is a Zapotec word that relates to paying off social debts. At its base is an exchange of products and services, an age-old tradition of "paying it forward."
This tradition is voluntary, as opposed to the related tradition of "tequio". Tequio is the obligatory communal work which also plays an important role in social relations.
FLYING PINEAPPLES
Art the end of each dance, each delegation presents their own "Guelaguetza" to the audience by throwing small fruit, hats, and even coconuts and pineapples.
The audience must be alert to catch the presents and to avoid being hit by the flying objects.
RELATED EVENTS
While the formal dances occur only two days each year, the last two weeks of July are filled with folk art and gastronomic exhibitions.
Related events in Oaxaca City include Donaji, La Leyenda, Bani Stui Gul and the ever popular Mezcal Fair.
Pedestrian-friendly Alcala street becomes dancer-friendly on late Saturday afternoons (before the Monday Guelaguetza). The celebration begins with a colorful parade of participating delegations and led with Oaxaca's famous Calendas, giant paper mache figures.
GUELAGUETZA SPECIAL *
Book and pay for a room for 7 nights or more, for any stay including one of the 2 Guelaguetza Mondays, and we will give you 2 free tickets to see this spectacular folkloric event. (An $80 value)
* This Special cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount.
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