San Gregorio Atlapulco is in the southernmost part of Mexico City and is designated as a "Pueblo Originario," which means it has conserved its indigenous traditions. Part of those traditions are its fiestas.
Velación: Cleansing Ceremony
Velaciones are held the night before all major ceremonies. In indigenous cultures, incense is used in purification ceremonies.
Velación: Making Tamales
Tamales are made during a velación but not served until the next day.
Velación: Concheras
Concheras are traditional musicians who play instruments called conchas, which are covered with an armadillo shell.
Velación: Conch Shell
During the velación, which is a mix of Catholic and indigenous religions, a conch shell is often sounded.
Velación: Concheros
This was taken at the velación the night before Dia de la Cruz.
Chinelos
Almost all ceremonies feature dances. These dancers are called chinelos
Young Chinelo
Traditions are kept alive by passing them to the next generation.
Aztec Dancer
Aztec Dancers often perform outside the church on feast days.
Vaquero
Vaqueros (cowboys) dance at many feast days.
Vaqueros
One of the Vaquero dances features a small bull fighting a Vaquero with a machete.
Cohetes
Cohetes (bottle rockets) are an integral part of ceremonies.
Lighting a Cohete
A traditional way to light a cohete is to hold it with two fingers, put a lit cigarette to it and, hopefully, let go at the right moment.
Procession
All ceremonies feature processions, some lasting several hours.
Carrying a Nicho
During processions, people carry nichos--boxes with a figure inside--on their backs.
Procession-2
As this procession reached a house, confetti was tossed in the air.
Bell Ringer
Processions are accompanied by the ringing of a hand bell.
La Banda
Virtually all processions are accompanied by a traditional Mexican band.
La Banda-2
The Meal
Food is served before, during and after processions.
Pulque
Pulque is a traditional drink often served during ceremonies, feast days and other events.
