Carnival in Tlaxcala
February – March (varies)
Tlaxcala
Carnival in Tlaxcala is very different from Carnival celebrations in the rest of the country and is definitely worth seeing. Its origins date back to the 17th and 18th centuries when there were ever increasing numbers of haciendas whose owners were of Spanish decent. These people longed for the European-style life of luxury, so they constantly had celebrations to which the laborers and indigenous people of the region were not invited. As a result, the indigenous people had their own celebrations that imitated those of their employers and masters, satirizing their music, the way they dressed, talked and their bourgeois style of life. So, the town took to the streets, the plazas and other gathering spots to take advantage of the opportunity to make fun of their employers and masters.
Today, Carnival in Tlaxcala is celebrated on the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. There is an abundance of music, singing, fun costumes and popular dances. They strictly adhere to the customs and traditions of the town and freely express their joy like all other Carnival participants in the state.
This festival fortifies the social relationships and customs of the community in Tlaxcala because a successful Carnival requires lots of hard work from volunteers throughout the community. Everyone must come together to organize music, direct rehearsals, make costumes, and prepare food for the dancers.
Tlaxcala Fair “The All Saints Festival”
November
Tlaxcala
The Tlaxcala Fair is one of the largest festivals in the state and involves participation from multiple regions. The fair has parades, rodeo events, cooking demonstrations, bullfights, folkloric dancing, a music festival, fireworks, art exhibits and lots of fun.
Huamantla Fair
August
Huamantla
This fair offers many activities like rodeo events, bullfights, car races, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, the parade of flowers, and the traditional “Noche que Nadie Duerme” or “Night Nobody Sleeps” which consists of a 7 kilometer procession through streets carpeted with flowers.
The “Huamantlada” takes place on August 20th. 24 bulls weighing between 450-500 kilograms run through the streets of the municipality “Pamplona” style.
Tlaxco Fair
August
Tlaxco
Many of the state’s religious festivals take place during August, so Tlaxco holds its most important fair at this time. The fair offers art and craft exhibits, food, industry exhibits, bullfighting events, rooster fights, and many other cultural and artistic activities.
Legend of the Appearance of the Virgin of Ocotlán
March
Ocotlán
Just ten years after the appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe to Juan Diego, another virgin appeared to a native in the rival town of Tlaxcala. Since then, the Virgin of Ocotlán has been honored every year. During this celebration the virgin is removed from her church and taken in a procession to visit other temples through streets covered in flowers.
The Departure of the 400 Tlaxcalan Families
July 6
Tototlác
This event commemorates the departure of 400 Tlaxcalan families to colonize the north of the country in order to pacify the Chichimecas. It is celebrated at the foot of the ruins of the Señora de las Nieves Convent.
Grito de Independencia (Shout of Independence)
All cities in the country
September 15
On the night of September 15, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a catholic priest, called for independence, urging the town to raise arms against the tyranny and excessive abuse of the government of New Spain. This war would last for 11 years and come to an end on September 28, 1821 with the plan of Equality and the triumphant entrance of the "Ejercito Trigarante" (Army of the Three Guarantees) to the City of Mexico. Mexico’s independence is celebrated every year in most of the cities of the republic. In the middle of this great festival, the presidents of the municipalities, the governors and the President shout to the four winds Long live Mexico! Long live Hidalgo! Long live the heroes who gave the mother country its freedom! (among others). A bell then sounds to imitate Hidalgo’s call that night in 1810. The night of September 15th is well known as the night of the shout of independence and is shortened to “The Shout”. Food, fireworks, excitement and much celebration can all be found in one of Mexico’s greatest celebrations. September 16th is a holiday because it is considered the official start date of the war of independence.
Day of the Dead
All cities in the country
November 2
The Day of the Dead celebration is the most important in the nation and is celebrated in various ways throughout the country. Every year, on November 2nd, the cemeteries are full of people bringing their families food, drink, music and company. The cemeteries are turned into places of true celebration…the most folkloric celebration in the Aztec nation.
In general, the Day of the Dead is accompanied by a competition for the best altar. Setups are created to remember the deceased. These include items like photographs, their favorite food and drink and objects that are associated with that person.
Another activity on the Day of the Dead that is also very peculiar is the “skull” competition. The skulls are verses composed to usually be funny by rhyming and making people laugh. The best skull receives the award.
Bakeries also make a special bread for this celebration called “Pan de Muerto” or “Bread of the Dead”. It has a special shape and recipe that is only used on this day.
November 20th, Day of the Revolution
All cities in the country
November 20
On November 20, 1910, the Mexican Social Revolution began. This is an historical date for a country that was seeking a better government, equality and justice. The movement was started by the heroes and visionaries of Mexico, Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata among others. This date is celebrated every year with a parade of soldiers, military personnel, and educational institutions through the streets commemorating the fight for a good cause.
Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
All cities in the country
December 12
December 12th is the most important religious celebration in Mexico. The Virgin of Guadalupe is considered to be a Mexican religious icon because she is said to have appeared on December 12, 1531 on Tepeyac Hill. A beautiful dark-skinned virgin, surrounded by a starry blue cloak, with a brilliant halo and celestial light identified as the Virgin Mary appeared to a native man, Juan Diego.
She requested (in Náhuatl, his native language) he take a message to the bishop asking him to build a temple. Four days after speaking with Juan Diego, the virgin gave him the proof the friars needed to believe the message he carried. She filled his cloak with roses (which would have been impossible to find in that location and at that time of year) and he took the message to the friars again, this time showing them the roses and an image of the virgin in his cloak. When Juan Diego told what he saw in his native language, it sounded very similar to the name Guadalupe. Thus, she became known as the Virgin of Guadalupe. Since then, the image in Juan Diego’s cloak has become a religious icon in Mexico.
So, every December 11th, just before midnight, thousands of people congregate in the sanctuaries of the Virgin of Guadalupe to honor the dark skinned virgin. This important celebration also features all types of food, mariachis, famous singers and much devotion.
