Mondays of the Hill

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Apparently these festivities originated in colonial times and are related to the festivity of "Corpus Christi" that takes place in the church of "Carmen Alto", built by the Carmelite Order at the foot of a hill the Zapotecs named "Bella Vista".

This celebration took place on the monday following July 16 and was repeated 8 days later in what was called "La Octava".

Soon after, the Indians who lived in the nearby villages enthusiastically joined the festivities, particularly those from "Guaxaca", capitol of the Marquezado Valley conceded to Hernan Cortes by the king of Spain, and from "Xochimilco" founded by Cortes in 1521 to the north of the city.

The Indians kept their own traditions in which they worshipped "Centeotl", goddess of tender corn or "elote", whom they honored and to whom they gave great offerings.

The inevitable interrelation of groups and the deep concern of the friars for making the local population accept the Catholic rituals, are at the origin of this festivity where elements of the indigenous culture blended with the black and Spanish traditions. This explained the festive and spectacular atmosphere during the open-air religious ceremonies.

This is the origin of today's festivities of "Lunes del Cerro", in which the "Guelaguetza" is particularly outstanding for its music, dances and songs. "Guelaguetza" is a Zapotec word meaning to participate and cooperate at the same time; it is a gift that demands reciprocity.

The "Guelaguetza" in the "Lunes del Cerro" is expressed by the offerings the groups representing the seven regions of Oaxaca, make to the city. These seven regions are: The Central Valleys, The Sierra Juarez, The Ca?ada, Tuxtepec, The Mixteca, The Coast and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Each one of these groups gives us a taste of their rich cultural heritage through their dances, executed to the rhythm of their songs and music and dressed in their gala outfits. At the end each group offers their "Guelaguetza" of products typical of their region, to the public.
Recently other folkloric events have been added to these festivities such as the procession of the different delegations in a manner similar to the traditional "Calenda" (religious procession) that takes place on the Saturday before the first Monday.

At the head of the "Calenda" goes the "marmotas" and a huge spherical cloth lantern, followed by the "Chinas Oaxaque?as" (local women dressed in brightly colored silk skirts and blouses with ribbons in their braids) carrying baskets of flowers all accompanied by a brass band and fireworks. Each delegation also plays music from their region.

That same saturday in the morning, the election of the Goddess "Centeotl" takes place in the central square. She is chosen from among the members of the different delegations.
In this contest the winner is not the one who is most elegantly dressed or most beautiful, but the one who best represents her community and who has the fullest knowledge of the traditions of her community. The winner will preside, along with the Governor and visiting dignitaries, over the festivities of the "Guelaguetza".

The night of sunday the history of the "Lunes del Cerro" is presented in a play called "Bani Stui Gulal" which means "Repetition from Antiquity" in Zapotec.

On Monday at 5:00 A.M. the "Chirimiteros" (pre-Hispanic reed instrument players) from the Central Valley play the "Ma?anitas" (a good morning celebration song) to the hill, accompanied by whistles and drums. Soon the people start arriving to have a delicious regional breakfast on the stairs going up to the hill before going up to the stadium where they are welcomed by a marimba and the "Chirimiteros". At 10:00 A.M the "Guelaguetza" begins. In the same auditorium, in the evening there is a representation of the legend of Princess Donaji, daughter of the Zapotec King Cosijoeza and Mexica Princess Coyolicatzin.

Between the first and second Monday of the festivities, there are several other activities such as gastronomic and hand craft exhibitions, representations of the traditions of different communities, art shows, a "Mezcal" fair, concerts and other cultural events.

On the second Monday or the "Octava", the procession "Bani Stui Gulal", the "Guelaguetza" and the legend of the Princess Donaji are repeated.

During these festivities the popular enthusiasm is palpable, insuring that these ancient traditions are kept alive.

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