Coahuitlan, Veracruz, Mexico this ceremony looks to the Sacred Christ and to mother earth for protection. 12 days of prayer are followed by this ceremony in which and offering is made to the earth.. Robert Freund 10/31/2007
Return to Totonaca of Veracruz
info@mexicantextiles.com

page 1 of 2 Next

 

IMG_4123
IMG_4124
IMG_4125
IMG_4126
IMG_4128
After 12 days of prayer, everyone gathers in the church and prayer one final prayer session, they also recieves a blessing from the priest. They then carry the Santo Christo around the outside of the church with music and a hand bell tolling. Copal incense fills the air
IMG_4132
IMG_4139
IMG_4148
Carrying the sacred Christ in a procession around the church.
IMG_4150
IMG_4151
IMG_4153
Musci and bells
IMG_4161
IMG_4162
The food to be shared after the ceremony.
IMG_4163
IMG_4165
Procession to the outside of town
A procession goes to the outside of the towns where a hole is doug and an offering is made to the earth. During this part of the cermeony, the women all pray and ask that nothing bad happens to them during the year. The offering if 12 eggs representing the 12 days of prayer ar eplaced in the hole and protected with cactus thorns and other thorns . Then other offerings are added tamales, corn , copal ( incense) , and it is sprinkled with fluids like water, soda, beer and sugar cane whiskey. . The procession goes back to the church .
IMG_4169
IMG_4170
Raising a cross over the offering
IMG_4174
Maria Nava The Mayoroma of the festival
IMG_4175
Digging the ceremonial hole
IMG_4177
Blessings
IMG_4180
IMG_4181
IMG_4183
IMG_4184
protecting the offering
IMG_4186
IMG_4188

Praying

IMG_4190
The offering protected by thorns and cactus
IMG_4193
IMG_4195
IMG_4197Covering the offering with flowers, candles, insence and then a rock.