Mixes: Tlahuitoltepec and the Flowers of the Mountain. The Land of Music

Mixes – Santa María Tlahuitoltepec

Guelaguetza Festival 2023 (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Guelaguetza

The Guelaguetza festival is held in the capital of Oaxaca on the "Monday of the Hill" in July.

This celebration brings together the different ethnic groups and mestizo cultures of the regions of Oaxaca to share their dances, traditions, and gastronomy with locals and visitors. Learn about them!

Mixes – Santa María Tlahuitoltepec (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Mixes (Santa María Tlahuitoltepec)

Mixe Tlahuitoltepec Ceremony: Legend has it that you can't see Condoy but you can feel his spirit in the wind, in the water, and in the trees. 

He taught his people how to hunt, plant, and defend themselves. He lives on the Zempoaltépetl mountain at 3,420 meters above sea level. 

Mixes – Santa María Tlahuitoltepec (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

For the presentations of the Guelaguetza on Mondays of the Hill, the dancers wear the ceremonial costume, composed of a natural manta skirt, an embroidered blouse, rooster feet huaraches, and the typical Tlahuitoltepec girdle.

Mixes – Santa María Tlahuitoltepec (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

The blouse is embroidered with flowers, mountains, water, sidewalks, magueys, sunsets, and hills. The preparation takes 20 days on average. 

Mixes – Santa María Tlahuitoltepec (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Girls and boys learn to read musical scores even before reading books.

In their traditional dance, the entrance is made with the head down, not as a sign of submission, but of peace. 

Mixes – Santa María Tlahuitoltepec (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Land of musicians

In their language, their music, and their clothing, the Mixes of Tlahuitoltepec carry their ancient identity and the essence of being of a community that was never conquered. Nowadays they live under Condoy's tutelage and await his return. 

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