Ixcatecos of Santa María Ixcatlán

Santa María Ixcatlán

By Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

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!

Ixcatecos from Santa María Ixcatlán (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Ixcatecos (Santa María Ixcatlán)

This is the land of timeless palm weavers and mezcal fermented in cowhide vats and distilled in clay pots.

Ixcatecos from Santa María Ixcatlán (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

It is located northwest of Oaxaca in the mountainous Mixteca Alta region.

Ixcatecos from Santa María Ixcatlán (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

In 2023, there are fewer than 10 guardians of the Ixcateca language in this town.

Ixcatecos from Santa María Ixcatlán (2023) by Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de OaxacaSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

The men's clothing consists of a hat woven from palm, a manta shirt and breeches, huaraches, and a girdle under the shirt.

The biggest celebration is a homage to the ‘Lord of the three falls’ and takes place on the fourth Friday of Lent.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Stories from Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Online Exhibit