Adoring the Saints: Fiestas in Central Mexico (William & Bettye Nowlin Series in Art, History, and Culture)

Mexico is famous for spectacular fiestas that embody its heart and soul. An expression of the cult of the saint, patron saint fiestas are the centerpiece of Mexican popular religion and of great importance to the lives and cultures of people and communities. These fiestas have their own language, objects, belief systems, and practices. They link Mexico's past and present, its indigenous and European populations, and its local and global relations. This work provides a comprehensive study of two intimately linked patron saint fiestas in the state of Guanajuato, near San Miguel de Allende—the fiesta of the village of Cruz del Palmar and that of the town of San Luis de la Paz. These two fiestas are related to one another in very special ways involving both religious practices and their respective pre-Hispanic origins. A mixture of secular and sacred, patron saint fiestas are multi-day affairs that include many events, ritual specialists, and performers, with the participation of the entire community. Fiestas take place in order to honor the saints, and they are the occasion for religious ceremonies, processions, musical performances, dances, and dance dramas. They feature spectacular costumes, enormous puppets, masked and cross-dressed individuals, dazzling fireworks, rodeos, food stands, competitions, and public dances. By encompassing all of these events and performances, this work displays the essence of Mexico, a lens through which this country's complex history, religion, ethnic mix, traditions, and magic can be viewed. Contents 6 Introduction 10 One. Setting the Stage 16 Two. Fiesta Leaders, Officials,and Saints (Mayordomos, cargueros, y santos) 31 Three. Vigils, Visits, and Ritual Meals (Velaciones, posadas, y reliquias) 52 Four. Processions, Encounters, Ceremonies, and Masses (Procesiones, encuentros, ceremonias, y misas) 75 Five. Dances, Dance Dramas, and Entertainments 103 Six. Toward Understanding the Patron Saint Fiesta 124 Appendices: Contents 150 A. Appendices to Chapter One 152 B. Appendices to Chapter Three 160 C. Appendices to Chapter Four 188 D. Appendix to Chapter Six 195 Notes 196 Glossary 204 References 208 Index 216 Introduction -- 1. Setting The Stage -- 2. Fiesta Leaders, Officials, And Saints (mayordomos, Cargueros, Y Santos) -- 3. Vigils, Visits, And Ritual Meals (velaciones, Posadas, Y Reliquias) -- 4. Processions, Encounters, Ceremonies, And Masses (procesiones, Encuentros, Ceremonias, Y Misas) -- 5. Dances, Dance Dramas, And Entertainments -- 6. Toward Understanding The Patron Saint Fiesta -- Appendices -- Notes -- Glossary -- References -- Index. Yolanda Lastra, Dina Sherzer, And Joel Sherzer. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [199]-205) And Index. A comprehensive study of two intimately linked patron saint fiestas in the state of Guanajuato, near San Miguel de Allende - the fiesta of the village of Cruz del Palmar and that of the town of San Luis de la Paz.