Running with the exploding paper mache bull during the village festival. Photo by Joshua Sage

FESTIVAL!

Culture, Cuisine, and Zapotec Celebration . . .
Dates Pending for 2008/09
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This is a journey that takes us into the heart of a village and into the heart of a traditional fiesta . . .

his is a rare and very special opportunity to plunge into the rhythm and color of a festival and through the celebrations, food and gatherings get to know a town and its people. Interspersed with the goings on of the festival will be excursions to nearby ruins, markets, distilleries and wonderful places to enhance our understanding of village life.

During this eight day, seven night adventure we will be staying in Teotitlan del Valle, a Zapotec rug weaving village in the central valley of Oaxaca. We are here to participate in the most lavish fiesta of the entire year, La Fiesta de la Preciosa Sangre, (Fiesta of the Precious Blood).  This festival, bursting with elaborate processions, spirited native dances, live music, and fiesta cuisine, was created to appease the gods and assure a successful harvest. We’ll savor dishes unique to Teotitlan, explore markets, visit local cooks where we learn to make mountain tortillas, delicate tamales and barbacoa and cap off the celebrations with a fireworks extravaganza.

In this village of 5,000 weavers, one of Mexico’s most respected weavers, and our co-host, Arnulfo Mendoza, will unravel the secrets of natural dyes and complexities of his museum quality weaving. Local craftsmen will reveal the artistry of Teotitlan’s sumptuous beeswax candles and ceremonial sugar flowers. We’ll visit a traditional mescal distillery and learn how century plants (agave) are turned into Oaxaca’s favorite firewater. Local experts will guide us through the ornately decorated, pre-Colombian palaces of Mitla. And a visit to the Sierra gives us a taste of the distinct culture of our mountain neighbors.

Reyna and her mother Antonia prepare tamales de mole amarillo

We’ve also left enough free time to explore the area on guided hiking or horseback riding excursions. Or make your own discoveries on the cobblestone side streets of Teotitlan. And when you’ve called it a day, the quiet comfort of our home for the week, Casa Sagrada, is a welcome retreat. Sit back on the terrace, sip a margarita and watch the sun set over the village of Teotitlan.

What makes this unusual, insiders’ tour possible and so unique is a partnership with Mary Jane Gagnier de Mendoza and Arnulfo Mendoza Ruiz, who’ve spent a lifetime dedicated to promoting the unique traditions of Oaxaca. Arnulfo is from an ancient family of weavers in Teotitlan, and together with his wife, Mary Jane, founded La Mano Magica, one of Oaxaca's premier folk art galleries in 1987. Mary Jane is the author of "Oaxaca Celebration: Family, Food and Fiestas in Teotitlan" and your guide for this one-of-a-kind adventure.