Mexicans are very proud of their country. They have the same intense patriotism as we do in the USA. The beginning of September the stands go up selling every conceivable thing in red, white and green in preparation for all the festivities. Construction sites, homes, cars, buses, you name it, are adorned with a flag!
The BIG event to "kick off" all of the events is on the 15
th when the
Governor, or some important official, stands on a balcony in the
jardine and recites the
Grito de Independencia. People from this area are very, very proud that the movement for independence began here and then moved to Delores
Hidalgo and then on to
Guanajuato.
There are lots and lots of fireworks that follow from then on til the end of the month.
At the end of the month, many
indigenous Indians come into town for several parades in native costumes and headdresses that are breathtaking. I'll find those pictures in the next few days (I must have 12 rolls or more of film) and share them with you. They carry into town
Xuchiles which are HUGE banners covered with flowers and
cornhusks that are held on with orchid paste. They are so big it takes six to ten men to carry these banners on wood. Once they reach the
jardine they are stood up along the fence of the
Parroquia which is the large church in
centro. Some of these
Xuchiles are two stories high so you can imagine the weight of it all.
Oh, and the Indians from
Papantla come to swing off a pole that is probably 6 - 8 stories high. They are called
Voladores. It is a very ancient ceremony that they have with a man playing a flute standing on a platform about 8/12 x 11 " in size! The men then swing down, upside down in thirteen revolutions. All of it is very
symbolic and very mystical. I have seen this ceremony held at the pyramids at El
Tajin and it gave you chills it is so beautiful.
The Indian dances go on for three days. I feel
privileged to observe these ceremonies.