You have probably never heard of this festival. It’s pronounced ‘geh-lah-geh-tza’ and attracts thousands of people from around the world every year to experience its colors and vibrant nature!
So, what is the festival and what does it celebrate? Well, this word is derived from a Zapotec word that means “present” and it consists of different presentations, some folklore, some cultural and there are sports as well.
The main event is a huge dance, which shows the traditional dances in Oaxaca (a city in the south of Mexico) and this is divided into 4 periods:
- Pre-Hispanic: we see the dance the people did to honor the goddess of corn
- Colony: we see some dances done before the Spanish arrived, and then the dances people did in honor of a religious figure (Virgen del Carmen)
- Independent Mexico: we see a parade catrinas, charros, other traditional costumes and there’s lots of food to try
- Contemporary era: there’s a parade of the traditional clothes of every place in Oaxaca and there’s a poem recitation. This festival ends with amazing fireworks.
Mexico is full of diversity, and this is one of the most vibrant showcases of that, colors, food, music, dance, and joy!
Have fun learning!
