To the sounds of the huapango arribeño music of Guillermo Velázquez and Los Leones de la Sierra de Xichú, the San Miguel de Allende Botanical Garden celebrated its 35th anniversary and the festival of the Holy Cross of Charco del Ingenio, which brings together indigenous communities from different parts of the municipality.
The traditional celebration, held among the mesquite and prickly pear cacti of Landeta Park, was attended by hundreds of San Miguel residents who joined in honoring the Holy Cross of Conquest, placed by indigenous mayordomías (stewardships) in the Plaza de los Cuatro Vientos (Plaza of the Four Winds) during the total solar eclipse of July 11, 1991, which also marked the opening of the municipality’s most important conservation area.
The décimas (ten-line stanzas) accompanied by violin, guitar, and jarana (a small guitar-like instrument) marked the high point of the festivities, getting those present dancing and applauding Guillermo Velázquez’s verses, which included social commentary and support for migrants.
The group from the mountains was preceded by the Militantes de la Vida (Militants of Life), led by Vincent Velazquez, who opened the musical performance with ska music.
The celebration of the Holy Cross began with the vigil of the xúchil (a type of offering), a handcrafted offering made by residents of the Valle del Maíz neighborhood. On Saturday morning, they brought the offering and placed it next to the stone crucifix that has watched over the site for 35 years.
This year, more than 25 indigenous communities from San Miguel de Allende participated in the celebration, which brought together dancers, musical bands, giant puppets, and the faithful who paid tribute to the Holy Cross with the placement of offerings and staffs.
After the procession through the site, which took place at noon, the Holy Crosses of the various mayordomías (religious brotherhoods) gathered in Plaza de la Danza (Dance Plaza), where they received various musical groups playing in their honor throughout the day, while the changing of the guard among the mayordomos (religious brotherhoods) took place.
Meanwhile, in the Plaza del Huapango, hundreds of San Miguel residents gathered to enjoy the popular festival, and members of the San Luis de la Paz Creative Seedbed captured the attention of children and young people with the application of temporary tattoos under the theme: “The party is resistance.”
Source: periodicocorreo
