The Peacock Woman

Santiago Pinotepa Nacional

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 celebrated in the capital of Oaxaca on the "Lunes del Cerro" in July.

This festivity brings together the different ethnic groups and mestizo cultures from the regions of Oaxaca to share their dances, traditions, and gastronomy with locals and visitors. Get to know them!

Traditional clothing of the coastal region of Oaxaca (2003) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Coastal woman (Santiago Pinotepa Nacional)

The letilla blouse is used, so called because they bring a peacock and a little pitcher, these are the original ones although today there are different designs.

Traditional clothing of the coastal region of Oaxaca (2003) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

For the participation in the Guelaguetza on Lunes del Cerro, the tradition is to use the color red, green, white, orange, yellow, black.

Traditional clothing of the coastal region of Oaxaca (2003) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Each blouse can take about a month and a half but is usually made collaboratively to be finished in a week.

Traditional clothing of the coastal region of Oaxaca (2003) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

The skirt is bridal satin and is made with 8 meters of fabric. The one in the photo is old, nowadays more lace is used.

Traditional clothing of the coastal region of Oaxaca (2003) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

It means that when a woman wears this skirt she resembles a peacock that inflates and fluffs up.

Traditional clothing of the coastal region of Oaxaca (2003) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

The braid is part of the attire, a rose is usually used on the right side when she is a young lady.

Traditional clothing of the coastal region of Oaxaca (2003) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

The jewelry they use is gold filigree.

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