The colorful GUELAGUETZA ceremony which traditionally takes place on the last two Mondays of the month of July at the Cerro del Fortín, an ampitheater overlooking Oaxaca, will be presented in Puerto Vallarta as part of the Expo Oaxaca, taking place from February 15 to March 3 in Park Hidalgo.
The name Guelaguetza comes from the Zapotec and means the great courtesy. It derives from the custom of the people of Oaxaca helping each other out with harvests or in times of need.
The Guelaguetza, which has a history of more than three thousand years, is presented as offerings to Centeotl, the Goddess of Corn. Catholic missionaries incorporated it into the celebration of the Virgin of El Carmen in the middle of July because of its importance to the people. Since 1932 (Oaxaca’s 400th anniversary) groups from the seven regions of the valley of Oaxaca have presented carefully chosen dances with local characteristics and regional dress at this annual festival.
PERFORMANCE TIMES:
- February 21 » Plaza Pitillal, 8pm
- February 22 » Los Arcos Ampitheater on the Malecón, 8pm
- February 23 » Park Hidalgo, 8pm
PROGRAM of the GUELAGUETZA:
- REGION DE LOS VALLES CENTRALES
- Chinas oaxaqueñas
- Jarabe del valle
- Jarabe ejuteco
- Danza de la pluma
- Miahuatlan de Porfirio Díaz.
- REGION DE LA SIERRA MIXE
- Sones y jarabes mixes
- Bajo el cielo mixe
- SIERRA NORTE
- Sones y jarabes de San Melchor Betaza
- Torito serrano
- Danza.
- REGION DE HUAUTLA DE JIMENEZ
- Sones mazatecos
- REGION DE LA MIXTECA
- Sones y jarabes de Tlaxiaco Jarabe mixteco
- REGION DEL ISTMO DE TEHUANTEPEC
- Sones istmeños y polkas
- Tortuga del arenal
- REGION DE LA COSTA
- Sones bravios de Pinotepa Nacional
- Sones de San Pedro Pochutla
- Chilenas de Putla de Guerrero
- Mayordomia de Juquila
- REGION DEL ALTO PAPALOAPAN
- Jarabe de flor de piña