Guelaguetza

As it was explained to me by a smart young pueblo woman, the Guelaguetza is a concept where I give you something and later you give me something back of equal or greater value.

Oaxaca and My Children 2004

The Guelaguetza is performed weekly, and was to be performed that very night in the Camino Real's vast dining room.

Oaxaca: what is it like? 2008

The Guelaguetza is performed weekly, and was to be performed that very night in the Camino Real's vast dining room.

Oaxaca: what is it like? 2008

But the "for tourists" Guelaguetza is fairly recent and I've seen the price of a seat rise from 100 pesos to 400 pesos in the 8 years I've lived here.

update, July's Guelaguetza 2007

The Guelaguetza is thought to be an expensive-ticket summer indigenous dance and song festival in July – which does exist.

Oaxaca and My Children 2004

The "official" Guelaguetza is now organized and promoted by the state Tourism office (Sedetur).

Guelaguetza 1999

The "official" Guelaguetza is now organized and promoted by the state Tourism office (Sedetur).

Guelaguetza 1999

Fiesta Guelaguetza is so big that a 15,000 seat stadium was built in 1974 especially for the event, high on a hill overlooking the city.

Oaxaca... magic city 1997

Fiesta Guelaguetza is so big that a 15,000 seat stadium was built in 1974 especially for the event, high on a hill overlooking the city.

Oaxaca... magic city 1997

Oaxaca's single biggest annual party, in mid-July, has come to be known as La Guelaguetza, which is Zapotec for "offering" or "mutual help".

Oaxaca, Mexico: a day in one of the New World's finest cities 2005