The Entry of the iconic image of the Holy Virgin of Zapopan, Patroness of the Archdiocese of Guadalajara and Queen of Lake Chapala, kicked off the celebrations of Señor del Monte, Patron Saint of the town of Jocotepec since 1833. The celebrations which began January 6, recalled that according to tradition, Señor del Monte saved the people of Jocotepec from the Morbus Cholera epidemic. The Holy Virgin of Zapopan is also known for miracles such her emergence intact from the collapse of a chapel in 1609
The Holy Image stayed until 4:00 pm on Sunday to return to its resting place in the Basílica of Zapopan, where images of the Virgin and Señor del Monte were worshiped by hundreds of faithful in the hope of putting an end to the new global pandemic.
By Patrick O’Heffernan
Michi-Cihualli is the mythological goddess who symbolizes the essence of the waters and lands of Lake Chapala. According to the legend, she is the mediator of good weather and the queen of the wind- she blows the gales of the four cardinal points, enabling the fishermen to know the direction of the squalls on the lake and t and farmers the good weather for corn.
But an important part of the legend of Michi-Cihualli is her first appearance: when the ruling tribe practiced human sacrifice and threw children into hot springs, Michi-Cihualli became enraged and created powerful winds, whirlpools, clouds of ash and eventually an earthquake to stop the desecration of her waters.
We don’t sacrifice humans any more, but we are sacrificing the Lake itself and the Ribera – the lands of Lake Chapala — with pollution, traffic, illegal development, and poverty. And Michi-Cihualli is again blowing her powerful breath over the lake in warning, only this time it is not winds she is raising, but a rekindling of the values she taught and resistance to those who would float them.
Next week, on January 20, 21, and 22, her winds will gust from one of her spiritual homes in Ajijic, La Cochera Cultural, in a three-day Festival of Michi. A residence for artists of all kinds, La Cochera Cultural is curated by Antonio López Vega, an artist who has spent a lifetime capturing and chronicling the spirit of Michi-Cihualli in painting and sculpture. The Festival he is curating at La Cochera Cultural will use film, art, music, dance, and discussion to explore the spirit and lessons of Michi-Cihualli and what is happening today in Ajijic.
In a separate but parallel effort, a group of musicians and artists are considering a concept paper Espiritu de Music y Art, to bring the lifeforce of Michi-Cihualli to Ajijic and San Antonio-Tlayacapan all year round through a marriage of art and music. They are responding to call by Ajijic Culture Director Santiago Baeza (who has just resigned) for events at local venues bringing together two of Ajijic’s greatest assets: artists and musicians.
In another separate but parallel effort, the Pueblo Mágico Ajijic Committee is anticipating an infusion of money for ventures enhancing and promoting the magic of the pueblo. While it waiting for funds, the Committee is developing plans and evaluating projects for their contribution to the Pueblo Mágico designation.
San Andrés Apostle, patron saint of Ajijic. Sofía Medeles.
Sofía Medeles / Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan (Ajijic, Jal.)– A few days before the start of Ajijic’s patron saint festivities (November 22-30), the authorities have finally given the green light for the festivities, which, due to pandemic restrictions, will be held as the ancestors used to do it, the old-fashioned way.
The conditions include a closing time of 12:00 midnight, a restricted capacity, sanitary checkpoints in charge of the guilds, signage at entrances and exits, permanent use of masks and monitoring by the Municipal Government.
Maximiliano «Max» Macias, who is in charge of the delegation’s office, commented that they are working together with merchants, guilds and organizing groups, to be able to bring a very healthy and old-fashioned celebration.
«They will be different this time the festivities, as to come with the family, spend some time and have dinner. We are starting little by little and reactivating the economy. For example, merchants who have not been able to make a living will be allowed to work, as long as they respect the requirements of the Ministry of Health,» said Max.
Likewise, through the delegation’s web page -Delegación Ajijic 2021-2024-, the calendar of activities for the novenario (9-days of masses and celebrations) was published; The guild schedule is: Nov.22nd musicians’ guild), Nov. 23rd merchants’ guild, Nov. 24th terrace owners who reached an agreement, and Nov. 25th the new youth guild). People agreed to bring musical groups to perform at the kiosk, while from November 26th to 30th, the activities that will take place will depend on the budget of the remaining guilds.
People have taken this news as good, since, both in social networks and in interviews conducted by Semanario Laguna, they expressed their joy for the realization of the festivities. «It is good because on the one hand we see that little by little we are getting out of this pandemic, and on the other hand because they give the population a space to have fun,» highlighted Sara, an interviewee from Ajijic.
Finally, the person in charge of the office called the attendees to the celebrations in honor of Saint Andrew the Apostle, and the merchants, to respect the established measures, otherwise, with all and penalty, they will be called to attention.
The program of the religious novena to St. Andrew the Apostle will be held as usual
The program of activities and participating guilds is on the wall of the parish of San Andrés Apóstol
Sofía Medeles /Translated by Elisabeth Shields (Ajijic, Jal.)- The religious celebration of San Andrés Apóstol will take place in the usual way -unlike the celebrations in the main square, which will have modifications-, with the mañanitas, masses, rosaries and Eucharistic adoration.
The mañanitas will be held at 7:00 a.m. The masses will be held at three different times, 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Rosaries will be at 6:30 p.m., and Eucharistic adoration – in charge of Adorers and Honorary Adorers – will be on Wednesday, November 24, Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26.
Photo: St. Andrew Catholic Church.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- With no fields to sow and no cows to herd in Ajijic, the farmers’ guild, once one of the strongest of the nine guilds, is now one of the hardest hit in the Ajijic’s patron saint festivities.
The festivities in honor of San Andrés Apóstol are held from November 22 to 30 In the Parish of San Andrés Apóstol, where the patron saint of Ajijic is located.
Semanario Laguna spoke with one of the members (of the guild. Ramona Díaz, receiving the media outside her house hiding her hands to protect herself from the cold, nostalgically commented that her membership in the guild is because she inherited it from her father, who inherited it from her grandfather. Senora Diaz acknowledged that the guild is one of those that has been fading the most with time.
«It used to be a robust day because there was a lot of farming and ranching, but the guild members have been doing less and less. Today there are fewer than 25 of us who cooperate, and there is no longer anywhere to plant or have livestock, that is why the festivities have been lost,» she mentioned while raising her voice a little to be able to stand out among the noise of trucks and cars passing by outside her home.
She went on to say that the only thing left is the name, because only memories of this trade remain, and they will probably be those of this last generation. «I don’t think I will pass it on to my children, because they are no longer committed to the faith or to the profession. Not only my children, many young people no longer approach religion today.»
She said that another important factor in the lack of participation not only in her guild, but in all the guilds,is the diminished the day of the youth which is a colorful day with a lot of celebration in other areas, but here it is different, because they have been leaving aside religion and customs, they only see the celebration.»
Looking to the side, she recalls a tradition that is basically lost, in which the guild on the following day, made a small procession with lanterns to get to the last mass of the day which represented that they were receiving their day. They called this the «entrada.» «It would be nice if those of us who participate in the guilds could agree to wear a shawl and wear our tresses, so we could show more of our traditions and roots.»
Finally, she called on the community of Ajijic, adults, youth and children, to get more involved in the traditions that remain since, with pride, she says it is part of what makes Ajijic magical. «Another one I remember is the battle of the roses -men giving roses to women during the dances in the plaza. It was nice and fun. It should be done again and we could motivate them, for example, by giving a prize to the one with the most roses. Let’s not let the traditions that made us what we are die.»
Translated by Sydney Metrick
The neighbors of the Lourdes neighborhood will see the doors of their chapel open to the public for the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Photo Jazmín Stengel.
Jazmín Stengel – After being closed to the public for more than three years and after six months of restoration work, the Chapel of Lourdes will finally open its doors to the public to commemorate the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12, as was done in 1940.
To date, more than 500,000 pesos (almost $24,000 USD) have been invested in the restoration work, according to the civil engineer, Enrique Petersen. These resources come from what the neighbors have been able to raise through donations, most of the time in material.
«Unlike earlier, they now prefer anonymous donations», commented Alejandra Martinez, daughter of Tere and Jose (Pepe) Martinez, neighbors of the community and treasurers of this collection. She added that many Chapalenses and foreigners have contributed their share, including Enrique Petersen who undertook the job of directing the work without charging a peso.
The task has not been easy, since the labor expenses and some materials not donated tallied up to 70 thousand pesos one month, with even more expenses. The average monthly expenses remained at 20 thousand pesos, which has covered the payroll of four stonemasons.
The steady collection of resources has been maintained thanks to fairs, raffles, sales, and the monthly contributions of more than 200 pesos, which the neighbors of the neighborhood pledged to contribute.
Petersen said that when he began the plans for the restoration of the exterior, he discovered the poor condition of the foundation, and that part of the only tower was cracked.
«We started by fixing the base of the chapel and reinforcing its walls with metal and concrete, we removed the outside balcony that was pushing out one of the walls and repaired the cracks,» said the engineer, who added: «These details and water leaks from the hill impacted the infrastructure severely enough to close it in September 2019, almost 80 years after its inauguration,» he concluded.
At the end of the first stage of restoration, only cosmetic and finishing details such as painting, carpentry and gardening are pending, for which more budget is needed. However, the committee in charge, together with engineer Petersen, decided to reopen the chapel so that the community can see what has been achieved.
The chapel was built in 1940 by Guillermo González Hermosillo y Brizuela, who led the cooperation between the neighbors of Colonia Francesa and the Ixtle neighborhood to make possible the construction of the sanctuary.
Now it is the turn for the second generation of neighbors, the heirs of the luxurious country houses in Colonia Francesa and the inhabitants of the renowned neighborhood of Lourdes in Chapala, named in honor of their patron saint. These neighbors continue the restoration of the shrine week after week by selling churros, fritters, and sweets outside after mass, and others by making extravagant anonymous donations.
The fundraising work continues to help fund the remaining restoration work, and the next fair is already planned to be held on November 28 outside of the Parish of San Francisco de Asis. Another fair is planned for December 5 outside of the Chapel of Lourdes.
Translated by Kerry Watson.
Parish of San Andrés Apóstol, where the patron saint of Ajijic is located. The festivities in honor of San Andrés Apóstol take place from November 22 to 30. Photo: Sofía Medeles
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)– A few days before the start of the festivities in honor of the patron saint of Ajijic (November 22-30), the Chapala government has finally given the festivities a green light with conditions that guarantee they will be held as our ancestors used to do. That is to say, the old-fashioned way.
The municipal authorities conditioned its permission on a midnight shutdown time, a restricted capacity, sanitary filters run by the guilds, signage identifying entrances and exits, use of masks throughout the nine days of parties, and monitoring by the municipal government.
Maximiliano «Max» Macías, currently in charge of the Delegation office, commented that the delegation is working together with merchants, guilds and organizing groups to create a very healthy and old-fashioned celebration in the kiosk of the Plaza with small, local music groups. In the afternoon there will be cultural performances.
«The experience at the festivities will be different this time; people can come with the family, spend some time and have dinner. We are starting little by little and reactivating the economy. For example, merchants who have not been able to make a living, will be allowed to work, as long as they respect the requirements of the Ministry of Health,” said Max.
The calendar of activities for the novenario (nine days of parties) was published the delegation’s web page (Delegación Ajijic 2021-2024), which lists the guilds who have duty each day: on November 22nd, the musicians’ guild; on the 23rd, the merchants’ guild; on the 24th, terrace owners who reached an agreement; and on the 25th , the new youth guild. These have all agreed to bring musical groups (who will perform at the kiosk). From November 26th to 30th the activities to be carried out will depend on the budget of the remaining guilds.
Residents see this as good news and have expressed their enthusiastic approval in social networks and interviews conducted by Semanario Laguna.
«It is good because on the one hand we see how little by little we are getting out of this pandemic, and on the other hand because they give the population a space to have fun,» said Sara from Ajijic to Laguna.
Maximiliano «Max» Macías called upon those attending the celebrations in honor of Saint Andrew the Apostle, and the merchants at the festivities, to respect the conditions and the Covid measures, noting that violators may be penalized.
Translated by Dee Lynn
The Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Ajijic, is close to starting the restoration project
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- The project for the restoration of Ajijic’s Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary is very close to starting, and after four fundraising events, the group “Sumando Voluntades” or Summoning Volunteers is ready to take the next step.
Their most recent event was the seventh annual Run for the Rosary, held on the day of the Virgin of the Rosary, October 31, with 180 runners participating in the race. The race and the fair held on the same day raised 40 thousand pesos, giving a total of approximately 350 thousand pesos that the group has raised to start working.
The architect in charge of the project, Josué Ramos, said that the restoration project was presented to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and needs some modifications, however, the capital raised is enough to get started.
«They asked us to revise the structural project to the specifications provided by the architect of the INAH. The architect said that we don’t have to spend all the capital in the first stage since they were quite simple things to start with,» Josué asserted.
He also added that they have more events in mind, although they have yet to plan the details or set the date. In the short term, they plan to focus on the architectural survey and the necessary restructuring.
«We will continue to raise funds for this project. For the moment, we are thinking of selling a black and white poster with the Virgin of the Rosary and the little chapel in the background, which we will start selling during the patron saint festivities and whenever we have the opportunity», concluded the architect Josué.
Translated by Kerry Watson.
Altar accompanied by the iconic Frida Khalo. Photo: Héctor Ruíz.
Héctor Ruíz Mejía – Despite municipal authorities nearly closing the festival «Al fin, para morir nacimos» («In the end, we were born to die»), the event for the Day of the Dead was held in Jocotepec, moving some local residents to tears.
According to Carlos Cuevas, ex former director of Casa de la Cultura José Vaca Flores, who was one of the organizers of the event, the new director of the highway system, Aguirre (who had not even been sworn in yet), tried to close the event, arguing that the appropriate permits had not been requested.
Cuevas explained that the road personnel argued that they lacked the Civil Protection review and that according to him, «it was in their power to cancel the permit if they wished.» However, Civil Protection rose to the call to provide support to the event so the event could proceed.
The first edition of the festival took place last Sunday, October 31 on Morelos Poniente Street, where in addition to enjoying typical music and spectacular performances by students from the School of Performing Arts of the University of Guadalajara (UdeG), dozens of people witnessed the stories on the 11 altars that the community itself erected along the street.
One of the altars was made by the Ibarra Campos family to honor their father, Goyo. He was described as a cheerful man, a cab driver, who enjoyed life, as well as atole and chicken. These stories brought the audience into the stories themselves of those who lived before them.
«Because we are not only united in death, but also in life,» Carlos said, adding that everyone contributed a little or a lot, like the ladies of the neighborhood, who for two weeks set up the two portals covered with marigold flowers located at both ends of the street.
«It was incredible to see how all the people came together to make the event, from people who supported with 20 pesos, to those who anonymously supported with up to ten thousand pesos,» explained Carlos.
«The truth is I didn’t know what to expect, I was in the plaza and I started to hear that they were coming here, so I came to see what was going on and I really had a good time», commented Ramón. He said that he couldn’t stop laughing from the Chiapas death jokes in one of the plays.
The first edition of the festival in commemoration of the Day of the Dead was packed with a large turnout which exceeded all the expectations of the organizers and the community which longed to celebrate this date after a year of inactivity.
Translated by Kerry Watson.
El carro alegórico está a punto de salir. Una adolescente representa a un ángel que custodia la imagen. Foto: Maria del Refugio Reynozo Medina.
Por: Maria del Refugio Reynozo Medina
El agudo sonido del clarinete se acompaña con la algarabía de las trompetas y resuenan las mañanitas, en medio del altar principal del Templo en San Pedro Tesistán. Las notas de Celebremos y Mi Virgen Ranchera invaden el recinto que además, está desbordado de flores.
Hoy es quince de agosto, día de la Virgen de la Asunción. A las seis de la mañana el templo de San Pedro Tesistán, luce repleto de asistentes, un centenar de personas se congregan para cantar y rezar a la pequeña imagen de la Virgen Maria que fue asunta al cielo.
Todas las miradas están puestas en la delicada figura de la virgen, que porta un esplendoroso ropaje blanco con un manto azul celeste. La fina silueta cubierta de encajes y piedras emite destellos fulgurantes. Tiene los brazos extendidos y mira al frente con una sutil sonrisa, los ojos y las cejas están finamente delineadas y el cabello negro que cae sobre sus hombros, ligeramente rizado luce decorado con un par de broches brillantes. La imagen de la virgen que no alcanza el metro de altura, está coronada con oro y a sus espaldas lleva un resplandor centelleante. Observa a los feligreses desde su trono a la derecha de la imagen de San Pedro Apóstol con expresión de ternura, como respondiendo a las plegarias y cantos derramados por los fieles.
Las angélicas legiones
cantan con gran armonía
entonando dulces canciones
de las flores de Maria.
Refugio de pecadores
eres virgen soberana
te saludo entre las flores
antes de romper el alba.
Las voces femeninas entonan los cantos y la banda las acompaña al final de cada estrofa ahora desde el atrio.
Mientras tanto, afuera se preparan dos mesas con pan dulce, canela y rompope para ofrecer a los asistentes.
-Alabemos y demos gracias en cada instante al santísimo y divino sacramento-Finaliza el Rosario y la gente se encamina a la salida del templo al encuentro de las ollas de canela humeante.
La banda comienza a entonar valses y los fieles comparten la canela entre breves conversaciones.
-Esta fiesta es de mujeres- dice una de las colaboradoras.
Cada día del novenario está asignado a una encargada que tiene ayudantes, pues hay que pagar la pólvora de los fuegos artificiales, las flores del templo, la música, las misas y los alimentos que se ofrecen en el rosario y la comida para los músicos.
La mujer encargada, pagó cuatro mil doscientos pesos por los cohetes de la misa de función.
Muchos cargos se heredan o “se pasan” cuando económicamente no es posible cubrir los gastos.
A Celina Robledo Valencia le dijo su mama:
-Ya eres mayor de edad ya te voy a apuntar para ayudar-
Zaira Ramírez Reynoso es ayudante desde que aún estaba en el vientre de su madre, cuando la encargada le dijo -Si es niña, se la pido desde ahora-.
***
A las doce del día ocurre un acto solemne, la Misa de Función armonizada por el mariachi y los asistentes ataviados con el estreno o las prendas más elegantes.
En este lugar, la explosión de un cohete en medio del celeste cielo equivale a un estallido de alegría muy dentro del corazón.
***
Fidela Garate, lleva sesenta años arreglando el carro donde se lleva a la imagen de la virgen en la procesión.
-Dicen que esta fiesta es de mujeres pero también los hombres ayudan-
Me dice mientras observa cómo sus ayudantes, (entre ellas, un hombre) terminan los detalles del carro donde irá la imagen.
Ella con un pequeño grupo de mujeres ha comprado cortinas y telas para decorar el vehículo que lleva por las calles la venerada imagen. Tenía veintidós años cuando le encargaron esa misión.
Ese cargo es una responsabilidad que le da orgullo, más también hay que asumir los gastos, pagar la pólvora que se utilizará en el recorrido que cuesta unos ocho mil pesos. El cobro por las flores del templo llega a nueve mil pesos. Para la procesión el pago de la danza es de seis mil pesos y seis mil más por la banda de guerra.
Desde que era niña, Fide recuerda la fiesta de la Asunción, no había plaza, sólo un tubo de metal en el centro de un espacio despoblado en donde hoy se coloca la plaza; ahí la gente ya se reunía al anochecer y la banda tocaba, recuerda que era la banda de San Cristóbal. No había energía eléctrica y la serenata se llevaba a cabo iluminada por lámparas, aparatos de petróleo y hasta lumbradas.
-Mientras Dios nos deje tendremos ayuda. Dice confiada cuando hablamos de números.
El carro está listo, un enorme ramo de nardos decora la plataforma de la camioneta forrada con un fondo azul satinado y cortinas plateadas. En el respaldo lleva una estrella al fondo y dos franjas de tela plateada plisadas en los lados. Dos adolescentes están vestidas de ángeles y suben al vehículo con sus impecables túnicas celestes y una corona de flores blancas en la cabeza. Ellas custodiarán la imagen en el recorrido.
En la plaza los danzantes ya se preparan, se colocan los detalles de los trajes. Un mariachero se acomoda el moño y se mira el peinado por el retrovisor de una camioneta.
Ya son las seis de la tarde y aunque el Señor Cura Carlos Enrique dijo en la homilía que no habría procesión como cada año, debido a la contingencia sanitaria por el COVID, la gente se acerca para acompañar a la imagen.
-Animo muchachos que se vea la religión- dice un mariachero a otro
Y comienza la procesión.
En el recorrido de una hora y media se van sumando más personas, adultos y niños.
En algunas casas se detiene la procesión y los adultos mayores o enfermos, pueden contemplar a la pequeña imagen. Un muchacho arranca un nardo del ramo y lo entrega a una mujer que mira absorta la imagen, un hombre mayor desde un balcón observa con un fervor casi al punto del llanto.
A la mitad del peregrinar, subimos a la carretera, los monaguillos desfilan con sus ropajes color crema que se mueven con el aire que dejan los coches avanzando por el carril derecho.
El asfalto que hace unos minutos lucía repleto de autos es ahora el escenario de un danzante que desliza su estilizada figura al sonido del tambor y el caracol. Los cuerpos con los coloridos trajes y penachos de plumas brillantes aparecen barnizados por el sudor de más de una hora de movimientos dancísticos.
Pasan las siete de la tarde y el sol muere en los montes como en el vals de Macedonio Alcalá (Dios nunca muere) que entona el mariachi, en medio del asfalto, ahora vacío de carros y lleno de cánticos y fe.
San Pedro Tesistán, 15 de Agosto de 2021
Cascada en el Tepalo. Foto: archivo.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.).- Un icónico lugar de Ajijic, sobre todo durante la temporada de lluvias, es el Tepalo. Apenas caen las primeras gotas y los habitantes ya se preguntan y dan sus vueltitas, para saber si ya corre algo de agua. Varios nativos compartieron para Laguna sus recuerdos de las cascadas de temporada, que años atrás no eran tan populares con los turistas.
El director del Archivo Histórico de Chapala e investigador de la historia de Ajijic, Eduardo Ramos Cordero, comentó que si bien la etimología de la palabra Tepalo no es del todo certera, se trata de una castellanización de una palabra indígena, la cual significa “bosque entre las piedras”.
La gente cuenta que el sitio no era muy concurrido ni popular entre el turismo, antes de la década de los setentas, y solo solía ser visitado por gente que sembraba junto a sus familias.
Las mujeres de aquellos tiempos, aprovechaban cualquier cuerpo de agua para lavar y, aunque el Tepalo no era muy visitado por ellas, sí había algunas que preferían subir a hacer su quehacer doméstico, ya cuando el agua corría limpia.
“Recuerdo que íbamos al Tepalo cuando acompañábamos a una tía a lavar; iban poquitas señoras, pero de esas poquitas, a veces, se peleaban por las mejores piedras para tallar la ropa y por eso trataban de irse temprano. Yo pienso que nos llevaban para cargar con la ropa, pero nos divertíamos en lo que lavaban”, comentó una entrevistada.
Otro de los habitantes compartió que no era un sitio muy popular hasta que llegaron los extranjeros, que hicieron que se convirtiera en el lugar turístico que ahora conocemos.
“Cuando éramos chiquillos nos gustaba ir porque estábamos flaquitos y cabíamos en los arroyos como si fueran toboganes; jugábamos toda la tarde y ya nos devolvíamos. Ya con el tiempo, empezaron a llegar más y más turistas, entonces teníamos que ir temprano porque ya en la tarde todos los estanques estaban con gente”, compartió un local.
Otra persona compartió: “Era bien chistoso cuando nos estábamos bañando bien tranquilos y, de repente, se escuchaban gritos y corríamos, y era porque ya se había arrimado una vaca a tomar agua, nunca nos hicieron nada, pero eran imponentes. Ojalá el Tepalo dure mil años más”.
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