The patron saint festivals are characteristic of our culture and there is no corner of the country where a celebration dedicated to some religious image linked to the Catholic tradition is not held.
Milpa Alta, with its different towns is a clear example of the annual celebrations. It is a region where traditions and customs have been preserved to a greater degree since its towns are far from the big city. Going to Milpa Alta is like being in another place; but, within the capital demarcation.
On the other hand, the patron saint festivities are a sample of national traditions, and express many of the ideas and conceptions of the Mexican about religion and its worldview. They are full of symbolic elements that combine Western traditions with others of Mesoamerican origin.
Likewise, the patron saint festivities promote social coexistence and help people to satisfy some of their spiritual, social or simple entertainment needs through their various expressions, such as masses and processions, dancing or the fair.
All kinds of people participate and attend the parties, from the smallest children to the oldest. In addition, the celebration is not exclusive for the natives or residents of the place, as it is open to those who wish to attend.
However, the celebrations are always carried out by the villagers themselves. Months in advance they prepare so that the day of celebration of the saint everything goes as well as possible and on many occasions they have the financial support of those who emigrated to other cities of the country or abroad, they usually return at that time to strengthen their ties with the community and strengthen their identity.
In the same way, the patronal feast of a community gives the individuals that make it up an identifying trait, which links them more to their community by simply belonging and their traditions. With their collective rituals, dances, processions, music, jobs and entertainment are of great importance, because through these some of the most concrete expressions of our mestizo culture are reflected.
This whole conception is based on the faith, belief and devotion of people towards the patron saints. Thus, the festivities could not be understood without this idea of the people about the images to which the town is entrusted.
Source: Unknown Mexico No. 334 / December 2004
Writer and photographer. "Mexico is many Mexicos" and in each one of them he seeks to learn something new.
