The traditions and customs of San Luis Potosí are represented by those artistic and cultural manifestations of pre-Hispanic origin. These manifestations were adapted with the arrival of the Spanish colonizers.
San Luis Potosí is located geographically in the north central region of Mexico. It therefore limits the north with the states Coahuila , New Lion, Tamaulipas Y Zacatecas .
South with the states Guanajuato , Gentleman and Querétaro. To the east with the state of Veracruz , and to the west with the states of Jalisco and Zacatecas.
The state of San Luis Potosí forms part of the Huasteca Region, which is conformed by the north of Veracruz, the south of Tamaulipas and parts of San Luis Potosí and Hidalgo.
Consequently, it shares traditions and customs both with the states that make up the Huasteca Region and with part of the towns, neighborhoods and colonies of Mexico City (capital of the country).
You may be interested The 10 Most Important Traditional Mexican Festivals .
Most outstanding traditions and customs of San Luis Potosí
1- Patron Saint's Day of Saint Louis King of France
This patron saint's feast is celebrated on 25 August in memory of King Louis IX of France, better known as St. Louis King of France, who died on 25 August 1270 during a crusade in the city of Tunis.
During this party dances and dances are performed, as well as the burning of gunpowder in the facilities of the National Fair Potosina (fair installed in honor of this patronal festival).
2- Potosina National Fair (FENAPO)
Fair held from the 7th to the 30th of August, where they expose both the gastronomy and the crafts of San Luis Potosí.
You can also find mechanical games, enjoy parties in the Plaza del Mariachi, enjoy theater plays, among others.
The central day of the Fair is the 25th of August, so the gunpowder is burned and fireworks are lit.
3- Xantolo (Day of the Dead and Day of the Saints)
This festival represents the reunion of the living with their ancestors, is celebrated during the days 1 and 2 of November.
Altar for the Day of the Dead, retrieved from pinterest.com
November 1 is celebrated on the Day of Saints (dedicated to the deceased children). That day they prepare sweets and piloncillo (also known as papelón, panela or chancaca).
They also make prayers, an altar is mounted (it can be near the grave or in the house) and they are kept in candle throughout the night.
On November 2 is celebrated the Day of the Dead (dedicated to the dead adults). That day they prepare Zacahuil (tamales) with chile and in some cases prepare the food that liked the deceased.
They also perform prayers, parades, dances, set up an altar and stay up all night.
4- Feast of St. James the Apostle
This feast is celebrated on July 25 in honor of St. James the Apostle.
5 - The Devils
Festivity celebrated on Easter Sunday (last day of Holy Week). On that day the 'devils' go out through the main streets dancing to the sound of music (usually drums), it is common to see them whipping the ground with their whips.
The journey of the devils is also mixed with the burning of Judas, so it is common to see them burning the alebrijes (Mexican handicrafts), which represent a person of the people who have misbehaved or Judas.
6- Feast of the Virgin of the Remedies
Held from the 1st to the 8th of September in honor of the Virgin of the Remedies. The Feast begins in the early hours of September 1, when devotees sing the mornings to the Virgin.
At dawn they place the Virgin of the Remedies in the atrium and there celebrate the first mass. Throughout the week they perform dances and sales of handicrafts, typical dishes, among others.
7- Feast of St. Michael the Archangel
The celebration of San Miguel Arcángel is celebrated in some districts and municipalities of San Luis Potosí, between which they are the District of San Miguelito and the Municipality Mexquitic de Carmona.
The feast is celebrated through a novena that begins on September 20 when they lower the image of San Miguel Arcángel. That day they sing the mañanitas and a mass is celebrated.
On September 21, a tour of the main streets of the Barrio or the Municipality with the image of San Miguel Arcángel.
The celebration of the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel concludes when the image is raised to its niche.
8- Procession of Silence
It is a procession held on Good Friday in commemoration of the passion and death of Christ and Our Lady of Solitude.
Procession of Silence, recovered from vmexicoalmaximo.com
On that day, around 30 cofradías participate, among which are: the Brotherhood of the Virgin of the Carmen, the Brotherhood of the Holy Burial, the Ecce Homo Brotherhood, the Brotherhood of the Descendimiento, the Brotherhood of the Soledad (it is the one that represents Our Lady of Solitude), among others.
It is important to note that each brotherhood wears a tunic of a specific color that represents it. For example, the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Soledad has a purple tunic, while the Brotherhood of the Holy Cross wears a golden tunic.
The procession begins on the night of Good Friday, in the Church of Our Lady of the Carmen, realizing a route of almost three hours by all the Historical Center of San Luis Potosí.
The Silence Procession is one of the most important traditions of this state, attracting thousands of tourists each year. It bears this name because during the whole trip all those who attend are kept silent.
9- Tenth and Walloon
The Tenths and the Valonas are realized in different festivities of San Luis Potosí, being an important part of the Potosinian culture.
They are characterized by being composed satirical verses that are accompanied by some musical instruments.
Therefore, it is composed of the spoken part (the verses) and the part danced, since while some say the verses others must dance.
10- National Fair of the Enchilada (FENAE)
This fair is held in the Municipality Soledad de Graciano Sánchez. Its main objective is to promote the enchilada potosina.
Exhibitors from all over the country also participate in the fair. Each exponent presents a sample of the enchiladas of their state or region.
References
- San Luis Potosí, recovered on August 28, 2017, from bacyardnature.net.
- Procession of Silence in San Luis Potosí, retrieved August 28, from Wikipedia.org.
- San Luis Potosí City, recovered on August 28, 2017, from wikipedia.org.
- Folk Dance of Mexico, recovered on August 28, 2017, from wikipedia.org.
- San Luis Potosí, recovered on August 28, 2017, from wikipedia.org.
- San Luis Potosí, recovered on August 28, 2017, mexfoldance.org.
- Day of the dead, recovered on August 28, 2017, from wikipedia.org.