OAXACA'S RADISH AND CORN HUSK FESTIVAL IN MEXICO

Oaxaca is one of the most culturally traditional of Mexico’s thirty two states so it comes as a surprise that it hosts what is without doubt one of the quirkiest festivals in Mexico.  Each December 23rd hundreds of competitors create intricate sculptures from the humble radish fighting it out for a large cash prize and more importantly, the pride of being crowned champion.

The legend as to how this traditional Christmas event in Oaxaca originated goes something like this:  Native to China, radishes were introduced by the Spanish and in particular by the Catholic friars. One year in the mid-18th century the local radish crop was so abundant that a section lay unharvested for months.  In December two friars pulled up some of these forgotten radishes. The size and shapes were amusing and they brought them as curiosities to the Christmas market held on December 23rd.

Carving the radishes began as a marketing gimmick and eventually the local population began buying the radishes not only to eat, but to create centerpieces for their Christmas dinners. In 1897 the mayor of the city decided to create a formal radish carving competition for this uniquely weird and wonderful festival which has been held annually ever since. 

One might wonder why the typically tiny radish takes center stage, but if you are you have no doubt ever seen the radishes which are bred and grown specially for this event in Oaxaca.  They are monstrously large and ideal for carving.  

The scenes created by both skilled horticulturalists and amateur radish carvers are typically festive and religious in theme with the nativity being a particular favorite with the Three Kings and the Virgen of Guadalupe (the virgin Mary)  being the most popular. And the red and white color of the radish works particularly well for this unusual Christmas celebration.

The entire Radish festival is remarkably brief lasting only a few hours. The brevity of the event is not in any way, however, a reflection of the hard work and preparation that goes into the work of this competition. Three days before the start of the festivities competitors begin carving their radishes the seeds of which were sown approximately three months ahead of time.

Each year the festival becomes more popular attracting over one hundred contestants and thousands of visitors. The creativity of the carved radishes and the art of the corn husks become more and more spectacular leading to a high sense of anticipation among the public who come to view this amazing annual festival in Oaxaca.

The  Radish Festival now  includes competitions for works made with dried corn husks and dried flowers called the "flor immortal" (immortal flower) which is named as it dries quickly and keeps most of its color. The themes are similar to those which are created with radishes.

Thank you for joining me in my blog "journey" to the Radish and Corn Husk festival of Oaxaca and until next time, wishing you well wherever your travels may take you.  Saludos, Laura


RADISH AND CORN HUSK FESTIVAL OAXACA, MEXICO

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THE MAPUCHE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF ARGENTINA AND CHILE

When my husband and I decided to indulge ourselves in a nomadic lifestyle Argentina became our first country to explore. It was large and diverse in its many regions and we loved it. Our base was the incredible capital city of Buenos Aires which seemed like a country in and of itself. Buenos Aires turned out to be our jumping off point for visiting many other parts of Argentina. 

A lovely older Mapuche woman we met during our exploration of the area and their culture.


On one of our first explorations we headed to the Northwest region of Argentina which intrigued me. The Argentine Northwest (Noroeste Argentino) is a geographic and historical region of Argentina composed of the provinces of Catamarca, Jujuy, La Rioja, Salta, Santiago del Estero, and Tucuman. Little did I know how the landscape and culture of this region would capture my fascination.


It was here that I was “introduced” to the indigenous Mapuche people of this stunning area of Argentina. And now many many years later I look forward to sharing the Mapuche culture and people with you as part of my “INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF LATIN AMERICA” blog series. 


So let’s meet the Mapuche indigenous people of Argentina and Chile. 

  

I love maps and getting a sense of where we are I believe is a good thing.

The Mapuche nation is situated in what is known as the Southern Cone of South America in the area now occupied by the the countries of Argentine and Chile. The Mapuche are a group of indigenous inhabitants of south-central Chile and southwestern Argentina including parts of present-day Patagonia with a population of approximately 800,000. The literal meaning of Mapuche is “people of the earth.” 

A LITTLE MAPUCHE HISTORY

Historically the Araucanian Indians lived in the southern, central, and northern areas of Chile and in present-day Argentina. They were divided into three main groups: the Picunche in the north, the Mapuche in the central area, and the Huilliche in the south. The Araucanians fought Inca invaders from Peru in the fifteenth century and Spanish conquerors in the seventeenth century.

The Mapuche and the Huilliche groups established a reputation as fierce warriors. Both groups bravely defended their lands and their way of life. They continued to resist the Spaniards for hundreds of years. The Mapuche finally lost their independence in the War of 1880–1882. After this defeat they were forced to settle further south on small reservations. 


WHERE THE MAPUCHE LIVE

The main group of Araucanian that still remain in Chile today are the Mapuche numbering some 800,000 people. Initially they lived between the Itata and Toltén rivers. Today many live in the vicinity of towns such as Temuco, Villarica, Pucón, Valdivia, and Osorno as well as in the southern island region of Chiloe. 


Approximately 400,000 Mapuche have had to migrate to the cities and now live the life of poor, urban workers. There are still a few Mapuche reservations in Argentina particularly on the shores of Lake Rucachoroi and Lake Quillen. However, most Mapuche Araucanian today continue to live in Chile.


THE MAPUCHE LANGUAGE

Mapuche from mapu meaning "land" and che meaning "people" which is pronounced as (ma-pu-CHAY with accent on last syllable) or Mapudungun (from mapu meaning "land" and dungun meaning "speak or speech") is an Araucanian language related to Huilliche and is spoken in south central Chile and west central Argentina by the Mapuche people. 


The Mapuche language was formerly known as Araucanian a name given to the Mapuche by the Spaniards when they conquered the Mapuche territory.  Mapuche avoid using the term Araucanian as they consider it offensive because of its Spanish roots. Mapudungun is not an official language of Chile or Argentina and has received virtually no government support throughout its history.

MAPUCHE MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGION

The mythology and religion of the indigenous Mapuche people of south-central Chile and southwestern Argentina is an extensive and ancient belief system. A series of unique legends and myths are common to the various groups that make up the Mapuche people. The Mapuche believe in an ultimate balance between the forces of creation (Ngenechen) and destruction (Wakufu).


Reverence for nature and acknowledgment of the forces of good and evil are also part of their belief system. Traditional prayer meetings called machitunes invoke the help of the gods and goddesses for rain and good crops. Another type of meeting called a malon involves listening to dreams and prophecies. Roman Catholicism which was brought to the “New World” by the Spaniards has co-existed alongside the original religious beliefs of the Araucanian and in some cases the two have merged.


MAJOR MAPUCHE HOLIDAYS

Mapuche who live in cities celebrate the major Chilean national holidays together with the rest of the population including their Independence Day and the "discovery of America" by Columbus on October 12, 1492. 

The Mapuche who live on reservations have maintained some of their traditional celebrations. One of the best-known festivals is the "guillatun" which is an ancient Mapuche religious ceremony. This rite works as a connection with the spiritual world to ask for well-being, to strengthen the union of the community, or to thank for benefits received.


MAPUCHE RITES OF PASSAGE

All major stages in the life cycle such as birth, puberty, marriage, and death are marked by special ceremonies. Important members of the tribe such as lonkos (the chieftains) play special roles. They are accompanied by music and also include elements of the Araucanian' oral tradition such as poetry and legends.


MAPUCHE RELATIONSHIPS

Greetings have well-defined levels of formality and informality. Strangers can only come into a traditional Mapuche environment upon receiving permission. Those who are accompanied by a Mapuche may be welcomed with elaborate feasting and great hospitality. However, those who come alone could just as easily be met with hostility and silence.


MAPUCHE LIVING CONDITIONS

Some Mapuche continue to live in a fairly traditional style, but many have migrated to towns where they share the lot of other poor urban workers living in shanty towns with poor housing and health conditions. In remote country areas traditional thatched roof huts provide shelter.


MAPUCHE FAMILY LIFE

The Mapuche people who still live on reservations have tried to maintain their traditional family structure which includes members of the extended family or a clan-like structure which includes a clan head or chief. Traditionally, each extended family was headed by a lonko, or chief, who had several wives and many children. The sense of family identity extended to grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and relatives by marriage.


This type of social structure is gradually being undermined by efforts to Christianize the Mapuche and by government attempts to assimilate them into mainstream society.  Because the male family members come into contact with white society through their work it is they who are influenced by mainstream culture. Women often take the most active role in maintaining the group's traditions.



MAPUCHE CLOTHING

Men in towns wear Western-style shirts and trousers. Women are sometimes dressed more traditionally with long skirts and colorful embroidered aprons. They may also wear head scarves which are sometimes decorated with gold or silver coins. Younger Mapuche girls often wear Western-style clothing such as sweaters and skirts and the boys wearing western-style shirts and pants. 

MAPUCHE EDUCATION

The Mapuche who lost their lands and had to emigrate to the towns now try to offer their children opportunities to attend school. On the reservations many still try to educate their children about their traditional way of life.


MAPUCHE EATS

Traditional hunting and fishing as well as crops such as corn and various fruits ensure a varied and traditional diet for the Mapuche. The distinctive curanto oven (also known as a earth oven, ground oven, or cooking pit) can still be found in rural Mapuche communities. The earth oven is a pit in the ground used to trap heat and bake, smoke, or steam food for hours. Traditional feasting on special occasions can last for several days.


THE MAPUCHE FLAG 

In March 1991 the Chilean Mapuche organization Aukiñ Wallmapu Ngulam, also known as Council of All Lands, decided to have a competition to make the flag of the Mapuche nation. About 500 designs were submitted of which one was selected for the Mapuche nation. The flag is called Wenufoye in the Mapudungun language which translates to "The Heaven's Winter's Bark."

The colors and forms of this Mapuche flag represents:

Yellow (chod or choz): renewal, symbol of the sun.

Blue (kallfü): life, order, wealth and the universe. In Mapudungun, is also an adjective that could be translated as "sacred" or "spiritual".

White (lüq): the cleansing, healing and longevity symbol of wisdom and prosperity.

Red (kelü): strength and power, symbol of history.

Green (karü): the earth or nature, wisdom, fertility and healing power, symbol of the machi (Mapuche shaman).

Cultrun (kultrung or kultrug), a "Mapuche drum": This is a percussion instrument for ceremonial and social use. It has a flat surface in which is represented the Earth's surface. There is drawn the circular design of the mapuche cosmovision: the Meli Witran Mapu (the four cardinal points), and also the sun, the moon, and the stars. This is a symbol of the knowledge of the world.

Gemil (ngumin) Stepped cross or star similar to the Chakana or Inca Cross, or rhombus with twisting border which represents the art of handcrafting, science and knowledge, and the symbol of the writing system.

I find flags as interesting as maps and I find this Mapuche flag wonderful. My pledge is to to start paying more attention to flags in future blog postings.

CLOSING VINTAGE PHOTOS OF THE MAPUCHE

I hope I have done justice to the Mapuche indigenous people of Argentina and Chile in this introductory blog posting. I have enjoyed learning more about the Mapuche in researching their culture and history and would very much like to revisit this interesting and beautiful area again.  Until then, I couldn't resist the following photograph as my closing Mapuche image which I consider simply beautiful.

With my sincere thanks for joining me and until next time, I wish you safe travels and wonderful adventures wherever they may take you. Saludos, Laura

SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE TIME OF CORONA: PUERTO VALLARTA 2020-2021

In public health social distancing, which is also referred to as physical distancing, is a set of non-pharmaceutical interventions or measures intended to prevent the spread of a contagious disease by maintaining a physical distance between people and reducing the number of times people come into close contact with each other.

Today I am sharing a new blog posting which I have entitled "Social Distancing in the Time of Corona: Puerto Vallarta." I know that might sound pretty ominous, but hopefully I have made it something which I hope you will find entertaining, interesting, and informative. So let's meet our local amigos which have not heard of the virus and are happy to share their world with us.  

Saludos and away we go!

MARINE LIFE

A porcupine Puffer fish puffs up with his spines as a defense mechanism which are immediately retracted when he is released. He is part of the extended Pufferfish family, but unique because of this ability. It's definitely a good idea to have a strong pair of dive gloves when attempting this maneuver.


       

An Eagle Ray who I always comment on looks like he is flying with his "wings."

 

A spiny lobster just "hanging out" which we returned to his hidey hole.

GARROBOS

Stumpy is the old man of our Garrobo family and his age has been estimated to be over 25 years. One local theory is that Stumpy received his name because his once beautiful long black tail was somehow "lost" or "cut off" and thus he became a "Stumpy." More research on that theory is definitely needed.

                             

 Stumpy is a vegetarian and has a voracious appetite which I indulge almost on a daily basis. His favorite foods include pineapple, tomatoes, starfruit, and old ripe banana skins. I believe Stumpy now recognizes me on sight since he comes running through the heavy ground coverage when he sees me or maybe his reptilian brain remembers that I bring yummy Garrobo food. 

                        

Recently Stumpy has made friends with a new younger Garrobo who I have named Stella since I believe she is very pretty and consequently she must be a female. Young and "lovely" Stella has a typical long beautiful tail which is indicative of her Garrobo species. I obviously find these "Dinosaurs" fascinating and I hope you find them as attractive as I do.

BIRDS

As I just mentioned Pelicans are my favorite of our local bird species, but they definitely do not qualify in the "social distancing" category. They are a very gregarious bird and hanging out together seems to make them happy, but I love them just the same.

PELICANS are my favorite of the bird species and whether they are brown or white I think they are wonderful. Very few birds attract attention like Pelicans do. Soaring high in the sky in flocks, forming a near perfect “V” or diving abruptly within a school of fish I find Pelicans simply amazing.


Pelicans have the largest gular sac (pouch below their beak and from which the young ones feed). They build their nests in mangroves or in low coastal bushes. In our area they nest in the rocks of Los Arcos which we can see from our home. Females will lay two to three eggs and both parents will participate during incubation and feeding.

                                 

                  Los Arcos National Marine Park in Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta 

Pelicans have legs with four webbed toes. Most have a throat patch of bare skin called a gular patch. Pelicans feed mainly on fish, squid, and other marine species in general and they nest in colonies and are monogamous birds.

Here in the Bay of Banderas I doubt you’ll find an area where Pelicans cannot be found. They are just everywhere you look, perched on a fisherman’s boat, a tree, a dock, or just floating in the water.

                         

WHITE HERONS

 

A white heron (garza blanca in Spanish) mother feeding its young as seen in Puerto Vallarta. This photo is definitely one of my favorites. White Herons symbolizes wisdom, faithfulness, vigilance, and also speaks of your sense of independence.

The majestic white heron can often be seen among other water-friendly birds including seagulls and pelicans along the shore. White Herons also signifies determination because there will be plenty of marshes and ponds that a person will encounter in life and which a person will have to wade through. Very philosophical these birds!

CHACHALACAS are loud and raucous and the noisiest of birds, but I find them fascinating to watch as they stroll around our gardens where they seem appreciative of receiving vegetarian leftovers which I bring them. Don't you find their red eyes especially attractive!

As social birds chachalacas often gather in groups of ten to fifty individuals in trees bearing fruit and where they can rest. They often take dust baths which are used primarily for parasite defense, but which can also be part of the courtship ritual.

                        

Chachalacas feed on fruits, insects, and worms. They build nests in trees and lay two to three large white eggs which only the female incubates. The young are a precocial species which means the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching.

                           

Chachalacas are born with the instinct to immediately climb and take refuge in their nesting tree and are able to fly within a few days of hatching. I was fortunate enough to "catch" this young Chachalaca exploring his new environment which is a reminder that I should never leave the house without my camera! 

              

THE BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON are small birds compared to many of their long limb heron relatives. They’re most active at night or at dusk when you may see their ghostly forms flapping out from daytime roosts to forage. In the light of day adults are striking in gray-and-black plumage with long white head plumes.


These social birds breed in colonies of stick nests usually built over water. They live in fresh, salt, and brackish wetlands and are the most widespread heron in the world. Certainly a very adaptable bird, the black-crowned night heron!

 
BROWN PELICANS

 
A Brown Pelican taking a little time out for grooming which is no easy thing and I think he is especially handsome.

As I mentioned in the beginning of the posting I simply adore pelicans and consequently here is more of this bird species which I just had to share. The Brown Pelican is a very gregarious bird and lives in flocks of both sexes throughout the year. The brown pelican is a monogamous breeder within a breeding season, but does not pair for life. 

Nesting season peaks for the Brown Pelican during March and April. The male chooses a nesting site and performs a display of head movements to attract a female. At the nest site major courtship displays such as head swaying, bowing, turning, and standing on its legs without any support are performed by both the sexes.

Once a pair forms a bond overt communication between them is minimal. It is a colonial species with some colonies maintained for many years. The brown pelican flies at a maximum height of 60 to 70 feet above the ocean and can spot schools of fish while flying. The Brown Pelican is a piscivore (a great new word for me) which means he feeds primarily on fish. Well, enough already with the Pelicans!

The following link will take you to my blog posting on the marine turtles which I also find fascinating and which I believe  belong in the category of "Social Distancing" 

THE SEA TURTLES OF PUERTO VALLARTA AND MEXICO

I hope you enjoyed this "Social Distancing" album with images of some of our favorite local amigos. It certainly has made me realize how very fortunate we are to live in this wonderful environment. Until next time, wishing you safe travels and grand adventures wherever the road should take you, Laura