Life in Mexico: Oaxacan Festival
Hola amigos! Join me for another instalment of Life in Mexico where I share what it’s like to live in Mexico. Today we’re going on a walk around the Oaxacan Festival, or La Guelaguetza, that came to Campeche.
What is La Guelaguetza Oaxacan Festival
The Guelaguetza festival is a vibrant, deeply-rooted celebration that brings together the diverse indigenous communities of Oaxaca, Mexico.
It’s a remarkable blend of music, dance, tradition, and community spirit that takes place every year, drawing people from all walks of life eager to experience Oaxaca’s rich cultural tapestry.
It is held in late July, usually on two Mondays known as Lunes del Cerro, it coincides with the agricultural cycle and harvest time.
Every year small groups of Oaxacan artisans and vendors travel across Mexico to bring a little bit of the Guelaguetza traditions to people across the country.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have experienced the festival now in 3 different Mexican cities. It’s always so much fun to see the food, crafts, clothing, and performances. These photos and video are from La Guelaguetza in Campeche.
Today I won’t be sharing all of the cultural significances and traditions of the festival, but if you’re interested in learning more you can read this article, Guelaguetza.
La Guelaguetza Oaxacan Festival Video
What I Ate at The Guelaguetza
So of course you know the first thing I’m going to check out is the food!
The very first time I went to a Oaxacan festival I did try chapulines or grasshoppers. Which I hate to admit, tasted pretty good, they were fried and coated in chile, lime, and salt. This time I stayed far away from them.
Unfortunately though, vegan options weren’t available so I had to choose vegetarian.
The first day that we went I ordered a tlayuda that had refried black beans, shredded cabbage, and stringy Oaxacan cheese, and you can top with a spicy salsa.
A tlayuda is a very thin and crispy corn tortillas that’s smothered with with refried black beans, topped with Oaxacan cheese, shredded cabbage, and usually some sort of meat. They can be served open-faces, resembling a pizza, or folded in half like a quesadilla.
Tlayudas are crispy, savory, and bursting with delicious flavors. I highly suggest you try one if given the opportunity.
The second day they didn’t have tlayudas so I just got a cheese quesadilla. As you can see in the pictures and video, the quesadillas are made from fresh masa and are shaped differently. They are scrumptious!
You’ll notice in the video that my boyfriend got some of meat-based dishes.
To drink my boyfriend got agua de jamaica and I got a passion fruit agua fresca that was divine! I love passion fruit so to have it as a drink was such a treat. On the second day we went we both got an almond-based horchata that was also amazing.
For dessert the first day we bought some candies, nuts and seeds, and I also got the miniature barro pot filled with tamarindo. The second day we got ice cream. I got a water-based passion fruit helado.
What to Buy at The Guelaguetza
One of the things I love most about these types of fairs is that you can buy textiles and garments, artesenias or crafts, directly from indigenous vendors or cooperatives. This bypasses the middle man and ensures fair compensation and supports of traditional crafts.
Besides candies and treats, I bought a couple of bars of soap made with tepezcohuite with are said to be great for your skin – and they are.
I bought myself, and my boyfriend also gifted me, a few of the traditional embroidered dresses, some handmade beaded bracelets, several barro negro pieces, and a couple of alebrijes. You can see them in the video.
Events to See
So while the food and shopping are my main interest, there are also plenty of events around the festival.
There are traditional dances and performances. Some dances represent struggle, history, or spiritual solemnity, covering a range of emotions. They are performed in the beautiful traditional clothing that’s full of vibrant colors and handmade.
This time I didn’t capture any video of the performances but I’ll try to this coming festival.
Check Out More of My Life in Mexico
Gracias
I’m so happy you stopped by. If you have any questions or suggestions, do leave a comment. Muchas gracias, I appreciate you!
Nancy Lopez is a Mexican-born food writer and author of Mexican Tamales Made Meatless. Raised in the U.S. and now living in Southern Mexico, she creates authentic vegan and vegetarian Mexican recipes rooted in tradition and tested for real home kitchens.Read more…
