In Tlalixtac de Cabrera where Casa Adobe B&B (www.casaadobe-bandb.com) is located, this year as in centuries past, preparations are already beginning for Holy Week, when on ‘Good Friday’ the Passion of Christ is re-enacted. Jesus' final days are evoked in the rituals that take place during the week.
Hundreds of visitors and pilgrims pour into our village, watch the procession and join in the festivities.
Holy week starts with Palm Sunday or Domingo de Ramos where woven palms are sold outside the church, according to the Bible Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and the people in the streets laid down palm branches in his path.
Holy Thursday or Jueves Santo commemorates the washing of the feet of the apostles, the Last Supper and Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane. Oaxacans visit seven churches to recall the vigil the apostles kept in the garden while Jesus prayed and they finish with Holy Communion.
Good Friday or Viernes Santo recalls the crucifixion of Christ. On this day there is a solemn religious procession in Tlalixtac. A man from our village is selected to portray Christ, he carries and then is later hung (fastened with ropes) on the cross, during this procession he is accompanied by participants dressed in costumes to evoke the time of Jesus.
Sabado de Gloria or Holy Saturday in Tlalixtac and in Oaxaca city is the custom of burning Judas in effigy because of his betrayal of Jesus, cardboard figures are made, sometimes with firecrackers attached, and then burned.
Easter Sunday or Domingo de Pascua in Tlalixtac is generally a day when people go to Mass and celebrate quietly with their families.
Throughout the week typical food and drink, such as quesadillas, memelitas, tejate and regional sweets are enjoyed by all as old Mexico is on display.
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