Can you imagine being paid to cry?
In Querétaro there will be a National Competition for Lamenters, a tradition that has its roots in various ancient cultures, including ancient Egypt, where these women played a crucial role in funeral rituals.
Hired to cry and mourn the death of important figures, their crying not only symbolized the pain of loss, but was also believed to help the soul of the deceased reach the afterlife. This ancient practice, which has been kept alive over time, is now part of a peculiar competition that will take place in Querétaro, continuing the tradition of these dramatic expressions of mourning.
What are lamenters?
Lamenters are women who, throughout history and in various cultures, have been hired to cry and mourn the death of a person during funerals and wakes. This tradition, which has its roots in ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt, was also adapted by the pre-Hispanic indigenous peoples of Latin America. Today, it remains a symbolic practice in certain places, representing mourning in a public and dramatic way.
National Contest of Lamenters in San Juan del Río, when is it?
Next Friday, November 1, the Plaza Independencia in San Juan del Río, Querétaro, will be the stage for the National Contest of Lamenters, where women over 18 years of age will be able to demonstrate their skills in interpreting this unique tradition. The event will begin at 8:30 p.m. and the performance, costume, the veracity of the crying and the creativity of each participant will be judged.
How to participate in the National Contest of Lamenters?
Those interested must be of legal age and not only the interpretation of the crying will be evaluated, but also the coherence of the costume and the body expression. Participation in this contest is an opportunity to pay tribute to an ancestral tradition that, despite the passage of time, remains alive in Querétaro.
What are the prizes for the best performances?
The contest will award cash prizes for the best mourners. First place will receive 6,000 pesos, second place 4,000 pesos, and third place 2,000 pesos.
Source: aztecaqueretaro
