A cultural celebration crosses the border

By: MARTHA SARABIA - For the North County Times | Friday, July 29, 2005 11:03 PM PDT ∞

Mexico is a country full of traditions and celebrations. One of these is the Guelaguetza, which has crossed the border and become an annual North County community event.

Celebrated in the Mexican state of Oaxaca every year, and for the last 11 years in North County, the Guelaguetza celebration has been held at Cal State San Marcos for the six years and organized by the Coalition of Indigenous Communities of Oaxaca, and Cal State' Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan, or MEChA.

Also as part of the Guelaguetza celebration, the groups will host the Octava, which is a celebration eight days after the Guelaguetza, at the Holiday Park in Carlsbad from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The event is free and open to the public.

Since I had never attended the Cal State festival before, I went last weekend to discover the meaning of the celebration.

"You can't define Guelaguetza. You really have to know what it means to completely understand it," said Carmelino Cruz, COCIO media spokesperson.

After talking to different people to understand the real meaning, I believe I understand. In essence, the term Guelaguetza is of Zapotec (a Mexican indigenous tribe) origin and refers to giving and receiving. It encourages people of different regions to share among themselves.

For instance, after each group finished performing they would throw their offerings inside a basket to the crowd. These included bananas, onions, green beans and chiles. The audience got up from their chairs to catch the offerings being shared with them.

Historically, the seven regions of Oaxaca got together to give offerings to their gods in return for rain and abundant harvest and to share the things they had earned with each other.

Because of the large Oaxacan population in San Diego County, it is important to have an event like this that honors their culture and traditions.

"We like to come because it's music from our culture," Olga Ramon, a 26-year-old San Marcos resident, said in Spanish.

Said Francisca Mendoza, a San Marcos resident and Oaxacan native, "It's very beautiful for those who live here so that they don't forget their traditions."

The celebration also helps to expose those unfamiliar with the event, like me, to experience it in the United States.

"We really enjoyed the food and looking at the arts and crafts. I'm impressed as to how many people are here," said Carol Jordan, a 57-year-old Chula Vista resident.

Held on a sunny day last weekend, the Cal State event drew more than 5,000 people to enjoy food such as tlayudas and mole and arts and crafts vendors in addition to dances throughout the day. The dance groups represented their Oaxacan towns by performing unique, traditional dances.

The costumes and masks worn by the participants were artistic and of high quality ---- all were made by hand. The bands had members of all ages from teenagers to grandparents.

Hopefully, the Guelaguetza won't just happen once a year, and we'll all remember to share and give to others of what we have plenty.

Martha Sarabia, a Cal State San Marcos graduate, lives in San Marcos. Contact her at sarabiamartha@yahoo.com.

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