The phenomenon of the black christs, studied by Carlos Navarrete, is interesting. During this work we have talked about substitution, and here we have in this place of otates (Otatitlán), a unique black Christ who supplanted Yacatecutli or god of commerce, also black.
The best roads of the past were the rivers and here we have the Papaloapan, widely navigable, which from the most remote times to the present day continues to be the best means of transportation for the agricultural wealth of this true earthly paradise.
The beheaded lord
Otatitlán does not have the roots and urban beauty of Tlacotlalpan, where by the way we have the Candelaria festivities for February 2 with all the jarocho atmosphere; but it has this syncretic invocation that gathers massive presences. The population owes its origin to the Marquis of Guadalcazar, Diego Fernández de Córdoba, placing it under the invocation of San Andrés.
It is known that Otatitlán was a market and place of exchange for indigenous merchants. There are several legends, one attributes the same origin and brotherhood with the famous black christs of Esquipulas in Guatemala and that of Chalma in Mexico. Another version says that it arrived on a raft that got stuck on this site among tamarinds.
During the years of religious persecution, the governor of Veracruz, Adalberto Tejada, had the Christ beheaded and burned, but because it was made of Nacastle wood, it was not burned. The townspeople carved another head for him, and when the government returned the original, it was placed in a display case.
The image receives a syncretic cult. It is not uncommon to see that mass is celebrated and after it is finished, the sorcerer arrives and practices cleansing and witchcraft to cure the evil eye, bad airs and other evils that beset us.
