Morelos is one of the 31 states of Mexico and is located in the south central part of the country. Its capital and most populated city is Cuernavaca, known as"the city of eternal spring"and is one of the 33 districts that make up the state, being one of the richest regions of the country.
It has a pleasant climate, nature reserves and ancestral villages full of culture. In the territory 139 traditional parties have been registered in more than 60 localities in a mixture of indigenous and Christian celebrations.
Inside Morelos are two of the"Magic Villages"of Mexico, Tlayacapan and Tepoztlán. They are original people who possess an ancestral culture characterized by the production of local crafts, traditional cuisine and maintenance of heritage expressions.
As in any town rich in traditional festivals, in Morelos tourism has been integrated as part of these customs.
Visiting and knowing the festivals and traditions is one of the adventures it has to offer.
The main traditions and customs of Morelos
1. Reto al Tepozteco
The sunset of Tepoztlán is the setting, every September 8, of the Tepozteco Challenge, a theatrical performance on the change of polytheistic religion of the last Tlatoani towards Christianity.
This party, based on a script in Nahuatl , Consists of a staging where Tepoztecatl, Mr. Tepozteco, was baptized by Fray Domingo de la Anunciación
Legend has it that Tepoztécatl, accepted a"test of faith"of the Fray in which both released their gods from the top of the temple.
Ometochtli, reproduced in stone, broke into a thousand pieces when falling, and Jesus Christ, on a metal cross, remained intact.
After this change, Tepoztecatl faces the kings of Cuaunáhuac, Cuautla, Tlayacapan and Yautepec for rejecting the new god, but ends by convincing them and facilitating Spanish evangelization.
This feast recalls the union of worlds and cultures during the colony and is celebrated on the eve of the Virgin of the Nativity.
2. Seed portal
The placement of the portal or arch of seeds is also done in Tepoztlán, as an offering to the Virgin of the Nativity who is the patron saint of the town.
It consists of a giant mural of approximately 7 x 9 meters where a Tepoztecan scene is elaborated with thousands of natural seeds that are exposed throughout the year until its renewal.
The first seed cover was made in 1991 and since then it is made annually voluntarily by the inhabitants of the entity itself.
3.
The Matacueros of Yecapixtla are a symbol of Easter 480 years old.
Its name comes from the Nahuatl word"Matacue"and means"the one who searches,""the one who seeks,"or"the one who torments us."
The clothes present authentic works of art, for their beauty and color, and represent local versions of the old Spanish soldiers who during the conquest mistreated the natives.
On Saturday of Easter, specifically, these prehispanic characters come out to represent the evil of the Spaniards.
They wear a multicolored cap with cherries of stones, wear a light colored mask, alluding to European skin, and a pointed black beard, similar to the Egyptian.
4. Slippers
The dance of the jump of the Chinelo is a characteristic celebration of the carnival and the patronal celebrations in the towns of Yautepec, Oaxtepec, Oacalco, Totolapan, Cualtlixco, Jojutla and Tepoztlán. The word Slipper in Nahuatl means"the one that moves the feet and the hip well".
The"jumpers"or dances are group dances where you jump on your toes, place your hands on your chest and move to the rhythm of a band as they parade through the streets.
According to historical data, this jump is a representation of the pre-Hispanic Tlahuica tribe when it found its promised land after a long pilgrimage.
Traditional garments consist of elegant velvet suits, large and long, with multi-colored robes that cover the body.
The ornaments are colorful and full of designs with strips, sequins, beads or glass beads, rhinestones and feather hats.
5. Sayones
In the municipality of Tetela del Volcán, sayans are another classic of Holy Week, for 300 years, from Thursday to Resurrection Sunday.
They are organized in Confraternities to represent a very Christian scene where there are Roman soldiers or executioners, four Kings and one Judas.
Filled with masks, green and yellow satin and Chinese paper in the shape of a large pompom hat, the sayones participate in processions where they stage the hanging of Judas.
But Sunday is the great party where the burning of the hats of the sayones by the villagers and visitors, who ignite the caps of the characters.
6. The cecina
When talking about typical gastronomy you can not forget the Cecina de Yecapixtla. This meal consists of a thin cut of beef or pork seasoned with salt and lemon that is dehydrated in the sun.
Cecina is the culinary symbol of Morelos and is served with fresh cheese and cream, sauce and onions and is eaten with handmade corn tortillas.
In Yecapixtla they have their own fair where they offer the best cuts of meat and they also do dances and theaters of the town.
7. Day of the dead
In the town of Ocotepec, north of Cuernavaca, one of the most colorful and recognizable forms of the altars is celebrated for the day of the dead.
The Cereada is celebrated between October 31 and November 2, days when offerings for the dead of the year are erected and the tombs of cemeteries are visited by neighbors and friends of the bereaved.
Many ornaments with candles, flowers, candles, skulls, shredded paper, hoarfrost and objects of the deceased are scattered throughout the monuments.
In addition, the catrinas are also hosts of the party and accompany the ornaments in commemoration of the Morelos dead.
References
- Alvarado R., C. (2015). Conservation of cultural heritage in the Magical Town of Tepoztlán, Morelos (2001-2012). Territories, 32, 15-33. Recovered from Redalyc.org
- Lazcarro S., I. (2011). The Passion of Yecapixtla: On the route of the cecina. Cultural supplement Nº 490, the tlacuache. Recovered from Hool.inah.gob.mx
- Machín, J. (1999). Chamucos, slippers and calacas. Traditional festivals and youth promotion. Cedoj-Young Culture, Cáritas, Cejuv. Recovered from: Aacademica.org
- Ocotepec: day dead with the zoques / David Díaz Gómes - Mexico: México desconocido, 1992. pp. 43-48: retrs. In: Mexico unknown. No. 189, November 1992
- Wahrhaftig L., A. (2001). THE SEED COVERINGS: Annual and visual representations about the state of the culture of Tepoztlán, Mexico. Department of Anthropology, Sonoma State University. Recovered from Docfilm.com
- Yáñez R., D. (2015) Reyes. The Sayones. A tradition of Tetela de Volcán. Cultural Supplement No. 670, tlacuahce,. Recovered from Hool.inah.gob.mx