Music from both land and sea, the colors of nature and traditional dances all come together each year in a grand fiesta, hosted by the people of Oaxaca.  This celebration is called “Guelaguetza”

The word “Guelaguetza” means “gift” in the indigenous Zapotec language.  The tradition dates from the beginning of the colonial era, when the peoples of Oaxaca saw a need to bring together their various customs.

The Cerro del Fortín is the perfect setting for an annual celebration of all that is majestic and authentic in Oaxaca.  In this festival, dancers from Oaxaca state’s seven regions perform their most representative, and beautiful dances.  The dancers proudly display these dances, their regional costumes, and a few clever rhymes of the state’s indigenous groups.  At the end of each dance performance, gifts are thrown into the audience: crafts, fruit, and typical foods of Oaxaca.

2007’s Guelaguetza was held July 23-30, augmented by a series of alternative artistic activities, such as a theatrical representation of the legend of Princess Donají and the coronation of the goddess Centéotl, concerts, parades, among others.

The Guelaguetza represents the cultural richness of Oaxaca’s peoples, who proudly offer this unique display of dance, music and color.