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The Guelaguetza is a folk dancing festival which occurs yearly in Oaxaca, Mexico. Dancers from different regions of the state of Oaxaca gather in celebration to share their displays of skill and colorful costumes to locals and tourists alike. We were fortunate to be in Oaxaca on Apriil 19, 2008 when the Grupo Folklorico del Instituto Tecnologico de Oaxaca presented a free outdoor festival in Plaza de la Danza, next to Basilica de la Soledad for their 40th anniversary. Guelaguetza is a Zapotec word which invokes the spirit of cooperation and assistance required among the rural indigenous population to survive and thrive. At the end of each group performance, dancers throw fruit, candy, other gifts to the crowd.
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| Dancers rehearse in front of the cathedral before the big event |
Colorful flowers and skirts of the rehearsal |
Dancer balances a basket on her head in rehearsal |
Big smile before the big festival |
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| Basket balancing and skirts flaring |
Flurry of colors in the final rehearsal dance |
First dance of the festival, Chinas Oaxaquenas |
Twirling skirts of Chinas Oaxaquenas dance |
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| Flared skirts and baskets balanced on the heads of spinning dancers |
Chinas Oaxaquenas from the central valley of Oaxaca |
Chinas Oaxaquenas from the central valley of Oaxaca |
Chinas Oaxaquenas from the central valley of Oaxaca |
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| Chinas Oaxaquenas from the central valley of Oaxaca |
Sones Mazatecos from Huautla de Jimenez, Region de la Canada, Oaxaca |
Sones Mazatecos from Huautla de Jimenez, Region de la Canada, Oaxaca |
Sones Mazatecos from Huautla de Jimenez, Region de la Canada, Oaxaca |
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| Jarabe Mixe from Mixistlan de la Reforma, Region de la Sierra Juarez, Oaxaca |
Jarabe Mixe from Mixistlan de la Reforma, Region de la Sierra Juarez, Oaxaca |
Jarabe Mixe from Mixistlan de la Reforma, Region de la Sierra Juarez, Oaxaca |
Jarabe Mixe from Mixistlan de la Reforma, Region de la Sierra Juarez, Oaxaca |
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| Torito Serrano from San Pablo Macuiltianguis, Region de la Sierra Juarez, Oaxaca |
Torito Serrano from San Pablo Macuiltianguis, Region de la Sierra Juarez, Oaxaca |
Women portray bulls and men portray bullfighters in Torito Serrano dance |
Women portray bulls and men portray bullfighters in Torito Serrano dance |
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| Sones y Jarabes de Yalalag from Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, Region de la Sierra Juarez |
Sones y Jarabes de Yalalag from Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, Region de la Sierra Juarez |
Sones y Jarabes de Yalalag from Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, Region de la Sierra Juarez |
Sones y Jarabes de Yalalag from Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, Region de la Sierra Juarez |
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| La Tortuga from San Mateo del Mar, Region del Istmo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca |
La Tortuga from San Mateo del Mar, Region del Istmo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca |
La Tortuga from San Mateo del Mar, Region del Istmo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca |
La Tortuga from San Mateo del Mar, Region del Istmo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca |
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| La Tortuga from San Mateo del Mar, Region del Istmo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca |
Fandango Tehuano from Santo Domingo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca |
Fandango Tehuano from Santo Domingo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca |
Fandango Tehuano from Santo Domingo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca |
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| Bull fighting portrayal, Fandango Tehuano |
Mexican hat dancing, Fandango Tehuano |
Mexican hat dancing, Fandango Tehuano |
Dancer rides a bull with real horns and hide, Fandango Tehuano |
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Dancer rides a bull with real horns and hide, Fandango Tehuano |
Sones de Pochutla from San Pedro Pochutla, Region de la Costa, Oaxaca |
