Indigenous México in the Heart of Jálisco
 Adriana Romero - PVNN
| | Since August 9th, Jalisco's Indigenous groups have been hosting "Indigenous México in the Heart of Jalisco," a month-long festival in Guadalajara that celebrates the richness, magic, diversity and beauty of México's Indigenous cultures. |
The International Day of the World's Indigenous People is observed by the International community every year on August 9th. The Day, which was designated by the United Nations in 1995, provides an opportunity to raise awareness of indigenous peoples' cultures and the great diversity that they represent.
In celebration of the occasion, the city of Guadalajara has been hosting the Indigenous México in the Heart of Jálisco cultural event ever since. That evening, the Wixarika, or Huichol, hosted the Festival's Opening Ceremony, followed by a Maxaketa Cd presentation presided over by Marcelino Ávila, Rodrigo de la Mora and Ernesto Cano.
That same evening, an art exhibit featuring works by participating migrational Indigenous groups opened in Sala 10 of The Museo Regional de la Cerámica, where their colorful art works will remain on display throughout the celebration.
Featuring a wonderful display of textiles, fine arts, photography, pottery, music, ethnic dances, weaving, oral tradition, poetry, chants, food and other arts and crafts created by the hands of the above mentioned Mexican Indigenous groups, this month-long festival celebrates the richness, magic, diversity and beauty of México's Indigenous cultures.
Every weekend is devoted to one ethnic group at a time, with exhibits and events beginning every Friday at 7 pm and ending on Sunday at 4 pm through September 9th, when the Indigenous México in the Heart of Jalisco's closing ceremony will be held.
To date, the following Ethnic groups have had their arts and crafts exhibited; August 9th-12th, The Wixarika from Jálisco; August 17th-19th, the Mixtecos (San Luis Potosí, Veracruz, and Puebla) and the Triquis (Oaxaca); August 24th-26th, the Purépechas of Michoacán.
If you have not yet attended the Festival, there's still time! There are still several groups scheduled to present their cultures to the public on the following dates; August 31st-September 2nd, the Nahuas of Central México, and closing the event, special presentations by the Mazahua (Toluca and the State of México), and the Otomí people, originally from Michoacán, from September 7th-9th.
All proceeds earned from the sale of works created by the seven representative Indigenous groups or families, each consisting of up to 12 members, and the other groups that are participating independently will be used to benefit approximately 1118 Indigenous people and their communities. However, it is important to mention that the Wixarika are the only local group, the rest have migrated from other Mexican states to now live in Jálisco.
Indigenous Mexico in the Heart of Jalisco was made possible thanks to the support of The National Commission for the Development of The Indigenous People of Jálisco and Cólima, as well as the Indigenous Institute of Fine Arts of Jalisco.
You can see all of the festival's exhibits and attend these special events at the Museo Regional de la Ceramica, located at Calle Independencia esquina Alfareros in San Pedro Tlaquepaque, Jálisco through September 9th. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Closed on Mondays. For more information, call (333) 635-5404.
 A painter, photographer and drummer who has had several important art exhibitions in various galleries all over the United States, México, and Europe, Adriana Romero worked for Santa Fe Workshops School of Photography in San Miguel de Allende for seven years before moving to Puerto Vallarta in January of 2004. In 2006, she moved to Cabo San Lucas where she worked as an editor for Los Cabos Discover Magazine. After returning to Vallarta in 2007, she began writing about local news and events translating articles for Banderas News. |
Vallarta Weddings
Travel & Outdoors | August 2007 
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