Oaxaca Silent Parade, Holy Week Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca's Silent Parade occurs on Friday of Holy Week or
Semana Santa, one of Oaxaca's most important religious festivals. The
celebration combines the religion brought by the Spanish colonists in the
1520s with some of the lingering indigenous practices. From the European
style churches, many built in the 1600s, parades and spectacles take place
in the preserved colonial center of the city, an area of colonial buildings and
churches.
Semana Santa, one of Oaxaca's most important religious festivals. The
celebration combines the religion brought by the Spanish colonists in the
1520s with some of the lingering indigenous practices. From the European
style churches, many built in the 1600s, parades and spectacles take place
in the preserved colonial center of the city, an area of colonial buildings and
churches.
Oaxaca stands unique among world cities
because of its thriving indigenous
population, 11 or so languages still spoken
within the mountainous state and the many
ancient rituals still practiced. This
combining of the colonial Spanish, modern
European, and indigenous culture gives
Oaxaca a flair for art and spectacle unique
in the world.
because of its thriving indigenous
population, 11 or so languages still spoken
within the mountainous state and the many
ancient rituals still practiced. This
combining of the colonial Spanish, modern
European, and indigenous culture gives
Oaxaca a flair for art and spectacle unique
in the world.
Oaxaca is surrounded by 10,000 foot mountains. The city was built in a valley
at 5000 feet and the surrounding mountains have isolated the villages
somewhat and perpetuated the speaking of the ancient languages and the
practice of the old customs.
Oaxaca Bus Service now connects the city with nearly every village and
provides a way for the people of the mountains to visit the city for regional
festivals.
The bus service also serves visitors to Oaxaca for travel to the remote places.
In the more remote villages the bus will make one trip over the mountain roads
to the village and park for the night, and return to Oaxaca City the following
day. Most of the villages in the mountains offer lodging for visitors.
at 5000 feet and the surrounding mountains have isolated the villages
somewhat and perpetuated the speaking of the ancient languages and the
practice of the old customs.
Oaxaca Bus Service now connects the city with nearly every village and
provides a way for the people of the mountains to visit the city for regional
festivals.
The bus service also serves visitors to Oaxaca for travel to the remote places.
In the more remote villages the bus will make one trip over the mountain roads
to the village and park for the night, and return to Oaxaca City the following
day. Most of the villages in the mountains offer lodging for visitors.
An important event in the life of Oaxaca is the Day Of The Dead ritual. Actually
two or three Days of the Dead but the action takes place at night in the
cemeteries of the villages and in the Panteon General in the city. Usually
starting on the last day of October and lasting for two nightly vigils in the
cemeteries as families clean and decorate their family plots and tombs in
anticipation of the return of the spirits.
two or three Days of the Dead but the action takes place at night in the
cemeteries of the villages and in the Panteon General in the city. Usually
starting on the last day of October and lasting for two nightly vigils in the
cemeteries as families clean and decorate their family plots and tombs in
anticipation of the return of the spirits.
Days of the Dead in Oaxaca, An Otherworldly Event Not To Be Missed
- Oaxaca's Night of the Radishes:
radishes to create exorbitant sculptures that go on display in the Zocalo on
December 23 and are judged for money prizes. The stakes are big and some
of Oaxaca's best artists and artisans will compete by making incredible
carvings and sculptures done with the lowly radish.
- Oaxaca at Christmas:
Several Virgin's days are celebrated on December 8th: Guadeloupe,Juquila,
and Soledad. Festivals continue right up until the three Kings in January.
| Semana Santa in Oaxaca on the Friday before Easter a silent parade through the streets re-enacts the carrying of the cross by Christ. |
Church officials and police
block several of the
cobbled streets in the old
historic center for the
parade which includes the
passage of statues taken
from the churches.
block several of the
cobbled streets in the old
historic center for the
parade which includes the
passage of statues taken
from the churches.
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Oaxaca Silent Parade during Holy Week in Oaxaca,
Mexico is part of Oaxaca's most important holiday
which includes cultural events that herald in
Easter. The Silent Parade on Good Friday offers a
blend of European Christian pageantry with local
touches.
Mexico is part of Oaxaca's most important holiday
which includes cultural events that herald in
Easter. The Silent Parade on Good Friday offers a
blend of European Christian pageantry with local
touches.
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Oaxaca Semana Santa, Good
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The start of the Silent Parade
on the Friday before Easter
on the Friday before Easter
The statues are brought
from the churches for the
start of the Silent Parade
on the Friday before Easter
from the churches for the
start of the Silent Parade
on the Friday before Easter