December 12 is a very important date for most Mexicans. In Teotitlan del Valle the celebration is led by the group of dancers who begin on December 11 with the eve of the celebration. The preparations for the celebration begin in the morning and the dancers dance in the atrium of the church around 3 in the afternoon.
A member of the group of dancers makes a party at his house and pays a mass in honor of the Virgin. Starting at 7 in the morning on December 12 with the preparations at the host's house, and then moving on to the atrium of the temple, where the 4 corners of the church are crossed in a small procession, continuing with the mass.
Once the mass is over, they go back to the hosts' house, where they receive breakfast. After lunch is over, the dancers offer a dance in gratitude. Then they go to the atrium of the temple to continue with another presentation that will last approximately eight hours. It is important to mention that during the small pilgrimages the dancers are escorted by a band of musicians.
Additionally, every three years (on the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe) the renewal of promises is carried out, this implies the change of group of dancers. On this day there is a larger festival than the rest of the years. To begin, each dancer performs a small party at his home, Moctezuma being the one who will receive the dancers at his home to go from there to mass. Once the mass is over, the dancers go back to Moctezuma's house, where they will receive a breakfast, and then go home.
Afterwards, the dancers meet again at Moctezuma's house, with their respective companions (either wives or parents) at three in the afternoon. Each of his companions carries "jicapextles" with sweets and each dancer carries two bottles of Mezcal decorated with wax or paper flowers.
Once gathered, they go to the temple's atrium, escorted by a music band, to complete their promise by offering a "Syrup of the Valley". In the atrium the families of the dancers come to gather, who carry baskets of fruits, sweets, beer, mezcal, tepache and some souvenirs, which will be given to the people during the presentation and at the end of it. Said "Jarabe del Valle", it begins at eight o'clock at night as usual. The first to dance are the dancers, who dance with their respective bottles of mezcal, which will be given to their partner in promise and a member of the municipal authority once the syrup is finished. Afterwards, each family member of the dancers goes on to dance the syrup, as is customary for men with men first and women with women later, each one with their respective jicapextles of sweets that will later be distributed to the municipal authority, the Catholic temple committee and the people as token of appreciation. All of this is done, sometimes arriving until dawn the next day.
We appreciate the participation of Froylan Mendez, Roman Hipolito, Abel Ruiz and Roberto Martínez in the preparation of this article.
Comments