A little piece of Oaxaca has arrived in downtown Mexico City.
To close the 11th Festival of Indigenous Cultures, Original Peoples and Neighborhoods of Mexico City 2025 with a flourish, a Calenda, or Oaxacan festival, began at 11:00 a.m. this Sunday, marching along Avenida Juárez, crossing Eje Central, joining Madero Street, and reaching the capital’s Zócalo.
The music, color, and pride of being Oaxacan were evident in every step and tune heard.
“Long live Oaxaca and the Guelaguetza!” chants echoed as women and men walked in beautiful traditional costumes.
The women, or Oaxacan chinas, as is customary, carried baskets decorated with beautiful fresh flowers on their heads, others carried pineapples, but all with big smiles on their faces.
Another attraction was the so-called “marmotas,” giant spherical figures made with a reed or metal frame covered with fabric and decorated with colorful paper or shiny fabric. The men carried them and twirled them around to the rhythm of the Oaxacan music that played constantly.
The “calenda monkeys” also amazed those who came to enjoy this parade. They are not monkeys in the literal sense, but rather a giant cardboard or papier-mâché doll, with a lightweight frame that allows a person to carry it and make it dance.
Children, especially, marveled at these monkeys, who waved and danced incessantly.
Listening to the music, visitors could do nothing but dance and join in the Oaxacan celebration that filled the city center.
As they walked along Avenida Juárez and Madero, dozens of people pointed their cell phones at the children, men, and women dressed and in costume for this Calenda, hoping to take a photo or video as a souvenir.
“This is something we expect at Guelaguetza,” commented a woman watching this grand spectacle on Avenida Juárez.
Even the workers at some establishments marveled at this Oaxacan celebration that filled the city center for a few hours.
Upon reaching the capital’s Zócalo, the celebration and color continued, as the Oaxacan Monumental Band offered a concert to the delight and amazement of those in attendance.
Oaxacan products such as shawls, dresses, blouses, shirts, and sweets were also on sale in the Plaza de la Constitución, which amazed those present.
Source: es-us.noticias.yahoo
