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Artist's Statement
RARÁMURI: Fiesta Guadalupana
Each year the Tarahumara peoples of Mexico’s Copper Canyon region celebrate Virgin Guadalupe Day with a ritual of sacrifice, dancing, and feasting. The small, indigenous community that I have chosen to observe and photograph is located in a beautiful hidden valley. Because only foot paths lead into this area, the Tarahumara way of life and their celebration of Fiesta Guadalupana remain very traditional and picturesque.
The Fiesta Guadalupana pictured here combines elements from three cultures:
The tutubúri altar, Saweame chanter, and women dancers from the ancient Rarámuri culture
The Matechine dancers with El Monarco, the male dancers’ leader, from Spain; and
The Virgin Guadalupe figure from Mexico’s indigenous, Catholic population.
Although preparations for the ritual begin several days in advance, the music & dance commence at nightfall on December 11th and continue with feasting and intermittent dancing through out the day of the 12th.
‘ALICIA’ --Kitty Alice Snead
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