Interesting Things Your Neighbors Do on Weekends

One of our neighbors keeps a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe in her yard. Every year about this time, they have a celebration for the virgin's birthday, and to commemorate her apparition to Juan Diego in 1531. Dancers called the "Matachines" act out a morality play involving Moctezuma, a maiden named Maliniche, El Torro, the bull, who symbolizes the devil, and El Abuelo, the old man. Today, December 8, is the feast of the Immaculate Conception; December 9 through 12 are the days of the Madrecines, commemorating the apparition of the virgin in Teypac, near Mexico City.

A group of dancers came to dance and sing for the Virgin. Their costumes are Native American, because she is reputed to have appeared to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin in 1531.

They dance to a drummer, carrying a single maraca and a ceremonial bow and arrow. These dancers have the icon of the virgin on the back of their white t-shirts and the image of Jesus Christ on their "skirts."

After dancing and praying and singing, all were invited to eat from a buffet set up in the neighbor's carport. The one woman came and invited me to eat. They were pleasant and friendly. The meal consisted of chicken, sausage, menudo, beans, rice, potato salad, macaroni salad, corn tortillas and soda pop. For dessert there were empanadas, a kind of carmel bread pudding with pecans, and cake.

Then another group of dancers, with even more splendid costumes came to dance and sing.

I am also posting videos of the two groups. They included people of all ages, from mid-60s to 3-year-olds. It was a lovely thing to watch, and it was delighful to participate.