An Aztec Dance is a ritual, is art, is exercise and is a show.

The Aztec Dance has been preserved through many years throughout the center of Mexico.

It is a legacy that will never disappear as long as the Aztec race exists.

The Spaniards destroyed their temples and deities, but they couldn’t get rid of the dances and rituals.

During the last few years, more ruins and archaeological pieces have been discovered and the history of the Aztecs is still being rebuilt. Now the Aztec Dances have more interest and value as important part of the Mexican identity.

The Aztec Dances represent a gratitude to the nature that they used to worship - the rain, the fire, the wind, the sun and the moon.

The Dancers wear elegant headdresses or “Penachos” made of feathers from pheasant, peacock, rooster, ostrich and turkey that represent greatness and pride.

The costumes are made with different fabrics, in colorful designs, decorations and Aztec idols.

The Dancer uses a rattler to sound when dancing. Many big seeds are fastened tightly around the feet in order to rattle like the feathered rattler serpent “Quetzalcoatl”.

The sound of the drum means the thunder. The shield was used for protection in war.

With the coming of the Spaniards and the imposition of Christianity, the Aztec Dances and rituals have become a mixture of cultures. It is a tradition to dance during the day on the celebrations of Saints or Virgins for devotion outside the churches.

Usually 30 or more dancers make a circle and take turns to dance in the center.

Before starting and when finishing everyone dances making a cross with their feet.

Most of the dancers do it to show their faith and gratitude to God.

The Aztec Dances give joy on the celebrations in Mexico and represent union, conformity and conquest.

These pictures are of the group “Uixatacihuatl”

Capitana Sra. Yolanda Morales

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

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Cafe / Restaurant / Bar

Café Montenegro
Correo #12-A, centro
(415) 152-1448

El Ten Ten Pie
Cuna de Allende #21, Centro
(415) 152-7189

Cafeteria

Gelatería el Capriccio
Correo #2, Centro
(415) 154-6758

Cajun Creole

Harry’s
Hidalgo #12, Centro
(415) 152-2645

Chinese

Palacio Chino
Mesones # 57, Centro
(415) 154-5360

Fusion

Nirvana
Mesones #101, Centro
(415) 150-0067

Rincón Español
Correo #27 - 29, corner with Recreo
(415) 152-2984

International

El Correo
Correo #23, Centro
(415) 152-4951

El Mesón de La Aldea
Ancha de San Antonio #15, Centro
(415) 152-1026

Mama Mía
Umaran #8, Centro
(415) 152-2063

Italian

Bella Italia
Canal #21, Centro
(415) 152-4989

El Toscana
Hernandez Macias #97, Centro
(415) 154-9608

Mexican

Antojitos

La Pinata
Jésus 31 Esq. con Umarán, Centro
(415) 152-2060

Los Burritos
Mesones #69-A, Centro
(415) 152-3222

Fine Dining

Alfredo
Plaza Principal #2, Centro
(415) 152-6097

Meat

Bariloche
Ancha de San Antonio #9, Centro
(415) 152-5784

Casa Payo
Zacateros #26, Centro
(415) 152-7277

Los Milagros
Reloj #17, Centro
(415) 152-0097

Traditional

Gallo
Hernandez Macias #97, Centro
(415) 152-7482

Pastry

Petit Four
Mesones #99-A, Centro
(415) 154-4010

Pizza

Pronto Pizza
Héroes #1, Col San Antonio
Relox #33-A, Centro
Ancha de san Antonio #2, Centro
Plaza Real del Conde
(415) 152-4066

Vegetarian

El Tomato
Mesones #62-B, Centro
(415) 151-6057

La Finestra
Canal #21, Centro
(415) 152-8093

You will find more information about these restaurants in the ‘Restaurants‘ pages of the Themes section.

A statue of Fray Juan de San Miguel, the founder of the town in 1542, baptizing an Indian, in front of the main church, La Parroquia, in the main square of San Miguel de Allende.

La Parroquia was originally Neo-Classic style, but in 1888 Zeferino Gutierrez designed and started to build the Gothic style tower that we see today. Archangel St. Michael is worshiped here.

A statue of Ignacio Allende riding his horse, holding his sword in fight against the Spaniards for the Mexican independence.

January

On January 6th, which is the Three Wise Men Day, families share bread which is called “Rosca”. Inside the bread there is a little doll, “Monito”. The person who gets the doll in their slice of bread must share tamales and atole the following February 2nd, Day of Candelaria. “Tamales” is ground corn with chicken or pork meat inside and wrapped in the leaf of a corn plant. “Atole” is a Aztec drink that is made from corn and chocolate.

On January 21st, we celebrate Ignacio Allende’s birthday, the liberator of Mexico from the Spanish.

There is a parade in downtown San Miguel with soldiers and children marching with Mexican flags.

February

On February 2nd, Candelaria Day, people go to the main church with candles. The lights in the church are off. When they start praying they light the candles. It is a very spiritual experience. Later at home, families share the tamales and atole from those that got the little doll on The Wise Men Day on January 6.

On the same day, there is an opening of the flower fair in Benito Juarez park which lasts for two weeks. People can buy all type of flowers, cacti, little trees, seeds, fertilizer, and flower pots for their homes and gardens.

The day before Ash Wednesday, people celebrate the Carnival in the main plaza Jardin, selling paper flowers and egg shells with confetti inside of them.

Children buy the egg shells and break them over their friends’ heads.

March

On the first Friday of March, Aztec dancers have a ritual on the main plaza. They dance, light incense and worship Jesus Christ. It represents the acceptance of Christianity by the Indians.

On March 21st in the morning, children from different schools get together in Benito Juárez Park to celebrate the birthday of one of the most famous Presidents of Mexico, Benito Juárez, and honor the Mexican flag. At noon, kindergarten children have a parade to celebrate the beginning of spring. All of them wear costumes of animals and flowers. They ride on floats and carry signs promoting the protection of the environment.

The celebrations for the Holy Week before Easter involve the following events… Procession from the sanctuary of Atotonilco to San Miguel. Altars to the Painful Virgin in houses in downtown San Miguel. People visit the altars and they are given fresh water or ice cream. Palm Sunday Palms are for sale outside the churches. Inside the churches the priests bless the palms and people take the palms to their homes to scare away evil spirits.

Thursday before Good Friday On this day in the evening all of the families visit the seven main churches in San Miguel and pray and give thanks for the blessings they have received. The churches are decorated and incense is burned. Good Friday At noon people carry figures of Jesus Christ and the Painful Virgin Mary. When they encounter each other, Jesus moves his head and sees his mother.

The procession of Saint Bury. It is a very elegant and quiet procession because Jesus Christ is dead. Ladies and men wear black and purple carrying figures of different saints. A group of musicians play and sing songs in Latin.

A priest says a mass and lights incense. They carry Jesus Christ in a glass coffin. Little girls are dressed like angels and drop chamomile flowers on the street. The procession starts from Oratorio Church and they walk by the main plaza and end late at night back at the Oratorio Church.

April

April 30 is Children’s Day in Mexico. In San Miguel it is celebrated with a festival in which the children are given toys. There are clown shows, singers and food!

May

May 1 is Labor Day and is a national holiday in Mexico. May 3 is the Day of the Holy Cross. In San Miguel it is celebrated with a mass and a blessing of crosses of the bricklayers and construction workers. They then set the crosses on top of the construction site. May 5 is the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in which Mexico fought against the French, and Mexico won the war. There is a gathering in the Main Plaza of students holding and honoring the Mexican flag, and singing the national anthem as a memory of the battle.

May 10 is Mother’s Day. People buy flowers, fruit, candy and appliances or gifts for mothers. Early in the morning, some families sing and play seranatas for their mothers.

May 15 is Teacher’s Day and May 17 is Student’s Day - national holidays. This is Lorenzo Almaguer, teacher and author and photographer for “Traditions“

June

On the first Thursday of June, there is a procession for Corpus Christi which means “the body of Jesus Christ”. Also there are people selling all kinds of wood, tin and paper maché toys and masks for the next holiday.

On the Sunday following June 13, there is a parade called “Desfile de Los Locos”. This celebration is in honor of Saint Antonio. People from different barrios get together and dance in honor of different saints. They wear costumes of many different characters. Before the parade they go to church to say a prayer. During the parade they throw candies and fruit to the people watching. There are bands playing along with them all day around the city. Father’s Day is always celebrated on June 19. Children give their fathers gifts, usually clothes

July

The first week of July the Huicholes Indians come to San Miguel from the state of Nayarit to show their art and traditions at exhibitions in different locations.

August

September

On September 15 and 16, Mexicans celebrate their Independence Anniversary. The President, Governors and Mayors in every city stand on the balcony and shout, “Viva México, Vivan Los Heroes, Viva La Independencia” and people repeat after them waving Mexican flags Then the fireworks start. There is a spectacular show of sound and light both on the ground, in the air, and on the walls with figures of the Mexican heroes.

Next day there is a parade with Mexican Charro, men with the big sombreros in traditional Mexican costume riding horses.

Every year a Queen for the celebrations of the month of September is chosen.

On the weekend following September 29 is the celebration of the Founding of the city of San Miguel de Allende in 1542.

There is a spectacular “Flyers” show from Papantla, Veracruz. The Indians do a ritual on the top of a pole high above the plaza, playing a flute and drum, and dancing on a tiny platform. Then they spin hanging from the ropes as they descend to the ground

On Saturday afternoon, the Aztec, Chichimecan Indians, and dancers from all around Mexico come dancing in the downtown area. It is one of the most wonderful parades of the Mexican culture. More about Aztec Dancers

Some of the dancers carry big and very heavy offerings called “Xúchiles” (soo che lais) to honor the founder of the city, Friar Juan de San Miguel.

October

November

The second of November is celebrated as “The Day of the Dead”. The tradition originated with the Aztecs.

This is an offering for dead people with food and things they used to like. The offering has a cross, marigold flowers, incense, candles, a mirror, orange and purple decorations, food and a picture of the dead person.

People go to the cemetery, take flowers to the tombs, say prayers, and talk to the children about their dead relatives.

Ladies sell flowers outside the cemetery.

On November 20th we celebrate the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution in 1910. It is a tradition to have a parade with human pyramids and aerobic exercises in the morning.

December

On December 12, Mexicans celebrate one of their most faithful traditions, the anniversary of the Vision of the Virgin of Guadalupe in 1531 to the Aztec baptized as Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac in Mexico City.

The Spaniards destroyed the Aztec’s deities and gods so they were hopeless and with no faith. They needed a new belief. They didn’t accept the white skin virgins that the Spaniards wanted them to adore. Then the Indian, Juan Diego, had a vision of the Virgin of Guadalupe telling him to have faith in her, the merciful Mother of God. She told him to tell the priest to build a temple for her to be adored. The Virgin of Guadalupe has a very special meaning. There is an eclipse of the sun by the moon behind her. An eclipse to the Aztecs meant a new life and a new belief. When there was an eclipse, the Aztecs made human sacrifices to the sun, their god. The Spanish friars wanted the Aztecs to stop making sacrifices to their pagan gods. The Virgin has a cape with the stars, and a dress with a design of the plants and flowers which grew where she appeared. There is an angel holding her with wings of the colors of the Mexican flag. She is the most Merciful Virgin in America. Most of the Mexican people pray and talk to her when going to bed and on awakening. She provides hope to the people. Aztec dancers dance all day for her. People pilgrimage and walk on their knees, offer roses to her, play mariachi music, and play flutes, trumpets and drums for her. You will always see the Virgin of Guadalupe in every church, every market and every home in Mexico.

December 16 through 24, children get together in the churches and private houses to pray their rosary, walk in a circle singing Christmas songs, holding candles and sparklers, asking for “posada”, a place to sleep. It represents the 9 nights that Joseph and Mary walked from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Jesus Christ was born. After the children pray their rosary and sing Christmas songs, they are given fruit, candy and cookies. And break the traditional “Pinata”

The nativity scene can be seen in many homes, churches and public places, and it helps to keep the family together. The family is very important in Mexico. Christmas is celebrated with just the family having dinner together in peace and harmony. In Mexico, it is not so common to exchange gifts on Christmas day as it is in other countries. The word “pinata” comes from the word, “pineapple”. The Spanish priests wanted to teach the Aztec people about Satan, the devil. So they made up a pinata with colorful points to represent sins and temptations. Children are blindfolded and holding a stick they jump and try to break the pinata. When they break it, they kill the devil, candies and fruits fall to the ground and everyone scrambles to pick up their candy. This represents the joy of killing the devil. Originally the pinata was a star, but now there are pinatas of many different shapes or characters.

Monday

Walking Tours of Centro - meet in Jardin, 9:15 am.
Benefits Patronato Pro Ninos. $80 pesos.

Tuesday

PC Computer Club - meets from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the Computer Center at the Biblioteca Publica.
10:30 - 11:30 am - Beginner’s Computer Class for $25 pesos. Everyone welcome

Wednesday

Walking Tours of Centro - meet in Jardin, 9:15 am.
Benefits Patronato Pro Ninos. $80 pesos.

Thursday

Bodega de Sorpresas - (Flea Market), 10 am -1:30 pm at the Biblioteca Publica

Friday

Walking Tours of Centro - meet in Jardin, 9:15 am.
Benefits Patronato Pro Ninos. $80 pesos.

Saturday

Saturday Adventurers - 3 hour tours to artists or artisans, then ranchos and haciendas.
Leaves Jardin at 10:30 am, $100 pesos, benefits Centro de Crecimiento to provide funds for the education and physical and psychological therapy of severely handicapped children. .

Sunday

St. Paul’s Church - Holy Eucharist 9:00 am, Choral Eucharist 10:30 am.

Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship - 10:30 am  Posada de la Aldea

House and Garden Tour - Come see what’s behind the mysterious walls of San Miguel.
Every Sunday we visit three distinctive homes or gardens.
Tickets on sale at 11 am, US$15 or $150 pesos.    Buses leave at 12:15 pm
From the Biblioteca, Insurgentes #25
Reservations are not necessary.
Tour income benefits the programs of the Biblioteca Pública.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Lions Club International - first and third Thursdays at the Don Quijote restaurant, Prolongación de Pila Seca # 55. Check in at 12:30 with the meeting beginning at 1:00.

Mujeres en Cambio - fourth Thursday of month at Hacienda de las Flores, Hospicio #16.
Luncheon with guest chef at 2 pm. Info: Georgeann Johnson, 152-6902.

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Audubon Birdwalk - 3rd Sunday of month, 8 am, from Instituto Allende.
In countryside, 3-4 hours, no rough hiking.

For listings of major activities by month, click the month

January 2009

1 New Year’s Day
3 Birthday of Don Juan de Aldama and Juan Jose de los Reyes Martinez, heroes of Mexican independence. Celebrations at the church of San Juan de Dios.
6 Three Wise Men Day, families share bread which is called “Rosca”.
Inside the bread there is a little doll, “Monito”. The person who gets the doll in their slice of bread must share tamales and atole the following February 2nd, Day of Candelaria.
17 St Anthony’s Day: blessing of animals in front of several churches. People also take their pets to be blessed at the church.
21 Ignacio Allende’s birthday, the liberator of Mexico from the Spanish.
23 From Queretaro pilgrims arrive on their way to San Juan de los Lagos
24 Pilgrims leave for San Juan de los Lagos in Jalisco

February 2009

1 Candelaria Day, people go to the main church with candles. The lights in the church are off. When they start praying they light the candles. It is a very spiritual experience. Later at home, families share the tamales and atole from those that got the little doll on The Wise Men Day on January 6.
5 Constitution Day. Anniversary of the Constitution of 1917. Celebrations in the Jardin
24 Flag Day in the Jardin
Ash Wednesday (start of Lent) - 40 days before Easter

March 2009

5 On the first Friday of March, Aztec dancers have a ritual on the main plaza. They dance, light incense and worship Jesus Christ. It represents the acceptance of Christianity by the Indians.

17 St. Patrick’s Day.

18 Pilgrimage of Los Jocesitos from templo de San Jose del Obraje to Temple del Oratorio.

19 Festival of San Jose - prepare for the fireworks early in the morning and enjoy the dancers later in the day.

21 Benito Juárez birthday celebrations at Parque Benito Juarez.
Children’s parade for First day of Spring

El Señor de la Columna is carried during the night from Atotonilco to the Church of San Juan de Dios

14 Viernes de Dolores - Friday before Holy Week - Altar displays in the homes

16 Palm Sunday - the beginning of Holy Week

20 Thursday, in the evening all of the families visit the seven main churches in San Miguel and pray and give thanks for the blessings they have received.
The churches are decorated and incense is burned.

21 Good Friday - figures of Jesus Christ and the Painful Virgin Mary are carried from the Oratorio to La Parroquia. In the evening there is a candlelight procession.

22 Good Saturday - mass at midnight at the Parrochia and other churches.

23 Easter - papier maché figures are exploded in the Jardin around noon.

April 2009

May 2009

1 Labor Day and is a national holiday in Mexico. Parades in town.
3 Day of the Holy Cross. In San Miguel it is celebrated with a mass and a blessing of crosses of the bricklayers and construction workers. They then set the crosses on top of the construction site.
The Feast of Santa Cruz is celebrated for the month of May
5 “Cinco de Mayo” - the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in which Mexico fought against the French, and Mexico won the war.
8 The Mexican Independence hero, Don Miguel Hidalgo’s birthday
Religious celebration of the Ascension of Jesus to heaven.
10 Mother’s Day. People buy flowers, fruit, candy and appliances or gifts for mothers. Early in the morning, some families sing and play seranatas for their mothers.
15 Teacher’s Day
17 Student’s Day
19 Armed Forces day

June 2009

7 Procession for Corpus Christi which means “the body of Jesus Christ”. Also there are people selling all kinds of wood, tin and paper maché toys
and masks for the next holiday.
17 Festival of San Antonio: fireworks very early in the morning,
Parade of Los Locos in the afternoon.
19 Father’s day
23 Don Ignacio Ramirez “El Nigromante” birthday. Celebrations
26 Anniversary of General Ignacio Allende’s death

July 2009

1 The first week of July the Huicholes Indians come to San Miguel
from the state of Nayarit to show their art and traditions at exhibitions in different locations.Celebration of Senor de las Maravillas, at the Temple Oratorio
16 Festival of the Virgin del Carmen at the Parroquia
21 Festival of Atotonilco
28 Beginning of the Chamber Music Festival
30 Anniversary of Father Hidalgo’s death

August 2009

J 28 - 11 Chamber Music Festival
31 Pilgrimage to Comonfort to visit the Virgin of the Remedios

September 2009

Election of the Queen of the Campesinos
8 Birthday of the Virgin Mary in the Templo del Oratorio.
13 Death of the Child Heroes celebrated
The most important running race in San Miguel
14 Day of the Charro.
15 Independence Day - celebrations with bullfights, fireworks, dances and speeches
At 11 pm the “Grito” “Viva México, Vivan Los Heroes, Viva La Independencia” from the balcony of Allende Museo
16 National celebration and holiday for the Independence of Mexico with parades and fireworks.
25 Pamplonada, the running of the bulls around the Jardin
27 Dia de San Miguel Arcángel celebration of the founding of the city of San Miguel de Allende in 1542. One of the most important celebrations in the city with parades, dances, music, bullfights and fireworks. The Aztec, Chichimecan Indians, and dancers from all around Mexico come dancing in the downtown area. It is one of the most wonderful parades of the Mexican culture.
28 El Pipila, commemorating the historical events at la Alhóndiga de Granaditas in the city of Guanajuato. Parade and celebrations.
30 Anniversary of Don Jose Maria Morelos with celebrations at the Jardin

October 2009

8 Festival of San Francisco
12 Columbus Day
31 Halloween

November 2008

1 All Saint’s Day - homemade candy in form of skulls
2 Day of the Dead when graves are decorated with food, candles and flowers. This is an important religious and Indian festival in Mexico.
14 - 23 National Fair of Wool and Brass
20 Anniversary of the 1910 Revolution

December 2008

12 Festival of Mexico’s Patron Saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe
16-24 Children get together in the churches and private houses
to pray their rosary, walk in a circle singing Christmas songs, holding candles and sparklers, asking for “posada”, a place to sleep.
It represents the 9 nights that Joseph and Mary walked from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Jesus Christ was born. After the children pray their rosary and sing Christmas songs, they are given fruit, candy and cookies. And break the traditional “Pinata”
25 Christmas day
31 Traditional midnight church services